A BURNLEY taxi firm has been ordered to tear down its base because it is ruining the appearance of part of the town centre.

AA Taxis has been fighting removal of the eye-sore building at the end of Hammerton Street for more than two years since the council ordered it to be taken down.

But now a public inquiry has found in favour of the local authority and the taxi firm have been told to get rid of the temporary structure - formerly a car sales pitch - which is on land off Cow Lane.

The inquiry, held in July, found the building, which is located at the entrance to the town centre conservation area was out of place and was spoiling views into Hammerton Street from Queen's Lancashire Way.

The inquiry ruling is the latest twist in a long-running saga of the taxi firm premises which has been running for more than four years and has cost the council almost £5,000 in legal fees and costs.

In 2000 the council ordered removal of the building and told the firm no other planning applications on the site would be allowed.

Taxi bosses appealed to retain the building - which has been on the site since 1993 - but this was refused.

Two years ago the council agreed an application for the firm to move to a new base on condition the Cow Lane building was removed.

But the taxi firm then stalled for a year claiming there were problems with the new base, leading to a council order to bulldoze Cow Lane in January. An appeal against the order led to the inquiry.

Head of planning and environment services at Burnley Council Susan Graham said: "It was the view of the council that this construction detracted from all the efforts that have been made in Hammerton Street and we are satisfied that the inspector agreed with us."

Muskeen Hussain, boss of AA Taxis, said today: "I am going to see the council and find out when I need to move by then I will have to start work on the new premises."