WOMEN and children come first when Maira Qureshi is behind the wheel.

For the 28-year-old has set up her own taxi firm to cater for mums and their youngsters - and she is thought to be the only Muslim woman working as a cabbie across the whole of the area.

Maira started Forget Me Not Private Hire six months ago...and she hasn't looked back since!

In fact, business has been so good she is hoping to employ new staff soon.

The former social worker was given the idea by her mother who noticed that many women and children would feel more comfortable being driven around a female.

Maria said: "My mother has always been supportive and just said to me one day it would really take off. Then she asked me "why don't you just get up and do it?". So I did.

"It's not been as challenging as I thought, but that is probably because I only provide a service to women and children.

"I have been getting the odd funny look from other taxi drivers, but the first thing I notice when I pull up to someone's address is the smile on their face.

"Most people say it's a great idea and it's about time someone decided to do it.

"It is also easier for women to talk to other women and we always end up having great conversations.

"I can relate to them more and I love children."

Maira, from Blackburn, said she wanted to provide a service that would make women and children feel safer.

"Some clients have told me they would not have travelled if it not been for me. My main aim was always to make sure women and children could travel in safety and without any worries.

"Most taxi drivers do a great job, but I hope I've changed the image of your average cab driver. Some customers are happy with the extra reassurance.

"Although some taxi drivers may be renowned for their careless driving I am always extra careful especially when I have children in the car."

But she is aware of the dangers faced by some drivers. She said: "It can be dangerous, but I don't do late shifts and, as I work from home, my family know which job I am on. I think it is also easier transporting only women and children.

"I haven't had any problems and my clients are always respectful."

Maira hopes to employ new staff and isn't bothered if they are Muslim or not.

"I think it's better to have good mixture of people from all backgrounds in a business. I have always thought that as long as they can drive and are friendly then I don't see what the problem is."