CAB drivers stood shoulder to shoulder in Lancaster in protest at proposals which could open the floodgates for anyone to join the taxi ranks.

The Office of Fair Trading has presented a report to Govern-ment, proposing to end restrictions on the number of licensed taxis on the roads.

Restrictions are imposed by 45 per cent of local authorities in the UK.

But the OFT says these mean consumers wait longer for taxis, have less choice of transport and are less safe.

It also argues that waiting times create a gap in the market, partly filled by illegal cabs, while a limited taxi supply can add to police problems in dealing with late night public disorder.

But opposition to the measure is strong in Lancaster and Morecambe, where there are 105 regulated hackneys and more than 300 private hire cabs.

Taxi drivers showed the strength of feeling with a procession of more than 50 cabs around the city centre on Tuesday. Drivers then parked up in Dalton Square, risking fines, to wave protest banners, pictured right.

Drivers argue that the measures will also mean higher charges.

Cabbie Bernard Martindale says firms had gone out of business in 'deregulated' areas, adding: "Fares will rise. If there are more people doing it, you will have to charge more to make a living, and standards will fall."

Lisa Heavyside, a hackney owner-driver, says anyone could become a hackney driver under the proposals.

"We all have criminal record bureau checks and a minimum standard of vehicle. It would by-pass all of that and you could get anyone in any car picking up on the street. We are united against this report," she says.

The private hire sector came out in support of the hackneys, with driver Bernard Bradford saying: "It is everyone's livelihoods they are messing about with here. There are enough cars in this area to cater for the work that's about."