A GROUNDBREAKING scheme which helped taxi drivers in Blackburn to go back to school is being turned into a book.

The publication, all about the success of a top gear council project, could be used by local authorities all over the country to help taxi drivers learn new skills.

The three-year Blackburn with Darwen scheme won international recognition after teaching drivers a range of courses to suit their schedules.

The details of how the course came about and how it operates have been detailed in a book Driving Futures, launched at the drivers' third annual Workforce Development event.

The course was unique because, instead of setting up courses and expecting drivers to attend at fixed times, tutors went out to the drivers, delivering lessons at 2am to fit in with shift patterns.

More than five hundred taxi drivers have participated in the project by the council's Workforce Development team which has allowed drivers to acquire a wide range of skills from safety and vehicle awareness, to first aid, defensive driving, information computer technology skills and disability awareness training.

Councillor Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning said: "The taxi drivers project really put Blackburn with Darwen on the map as an innovative approach to adult learning.

"I am delighted that others will be able to read and, hopefully, enjoy our success story."

The event, at Jan's Conference Centre, also celebrated the latest learners' achievements, with four taxi drivers Moosa Karolia, general secretary of Blackburn with Darwen Hackney Drivers Association, Deborah Fitzpatrick, Steve Grunshaw and Abdul Rehman speaking about the skills and confidence they developed through the defensive driving course.

Guest of honour was Steve Palmer, executive director of the Learning and Skills Council, Lancashire.