TOWN centre drinkers heading into Burnley for Christmas celebrations were today warned against using illegal taxi cabs.

Burnley Council chiefs, who are in charge of licensing the borough's taxis, have issued safety advice ahead of the Christmas rush. They fear passengers could end up being ripped-off by illegal cab drivers - who could even pose a danger to lone passengers.

Now they want to advise people about the difference between private hire and hackney carriage vehicles and the procedures to be followed when hiring either type of transport.

Charles Goodwill, taxi enforcement officer for Burnley Council, said a booklet giving details of taxi ranks and the private hire operators in the borough will be distributed to pubs and clubs - but added people should be careful all year round.

He said: "The main thing is not to just get into a taxi off the street. People should either go to a rank or book one.

"We have had a couple of cases over the last few weeks of people getting into cars and they have had a lot of money taken off them and ended up where they started."

Inspector Damian Darcy of Pennine Police said getting in to random cars was dangerous and advised revellers to travel in groups if possible.

He said: "People should only get in to registered taxis and if they are unsure they should ask to see the driver's badge, which all taxi drivers have.

"Where possible people should get in a taxi with friends and if not make sure they are seen getting into one."

Hackney carriage vehicles are black London-type cabs that have a yellow identification plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle indicating the licence number, registration details and the permitted number of passengers. They can be flagged down in the street or hired from town centre taxi ranks.

Drivers of hackney carriages must at all times wear a blue identification badge.

A variety of vehicles are used as private hire vehicles such as saloon cars, people carriers and minibuses. Each has a white plate on the rear bumper indicating the licence and registration number, make and model of vehicle, the expiry date of the licence and the maximum number of passengers permitted. This information is replicated on two small stickers situated on the front windscreen and front passenger door window.

Door signs are fitted to both front passenger doors indicating the name and telephone number of the firm.