ILLEGAL taxi drivers are undercutting licensed operators and putting passengers' lives at risk, an irate Ribble Valley cabbie has claimed.

But the police and borough council officials today said they were on top of the problem and most taxi drivers in the borough were operating within the law.

Andrew Gill, 38, has operated a one-man taxi firm from his home in Pasturelands Drive, Billington, for six years and was a taxi driver in Blackburn for ten years before that.

"I am a fully-licensed operator, which means I am registered with the council and display a plate on the back of my car to that effect.

"Without plates, operators can't get the necessary insurance to carry passengers and I know of some who routinely flout the law.

"These drivers could be anyone and the authorities are not doing enough. The council only has a part-time licensing officer, but it's not enough for the amount of taxis operating in the area.

"This is an issue of public safety. These drivers are operating illegally and getting away with it. They don't have our overheads and are putting passengers' lives at risk."

It can cost up to £3,000 a year to insure a car as a taxi, as opposed to around £250 for normal use, but in the event of a taxi being involved in an accident without the necessary cover an insurance company would be unlikely to pay up.

Taxi licensing is dealt with by local authorities and Ribble Valley Council currently has 26 operators, 66 private hire vehicles, 49 hackney cabs and 81 drivers on its books.

Electoral and licensing officer Jane Horsfield said: "If we find out taxi drivers are operating illegally, we are on to it like a bullet. We are doing our very best to tackle this problem with the resources available.

"Passengers should always check for licence plates at the back of vehicles and drivers should be wearing their badges at all times." Insp Bob Ford, of Clitheroe Police, said: "One operator in particular was stopped on more than one occasion for driving a taxi without a licence, but action has been taken and he has ceased to operate.

"We pay continuous attention to this problem and are working in partnership with the council to tackle it. We always take issues of public safety seriously and would encourage anyone with a legitimate complaint to step forward."

Nawaz Khan, of the Private Hire Association based in Blackburn, said he did not believe illegal taxis were widespread.

"It is impossible to get away with being an unlicensed taxi driver on an occupational basis, because the rules and regulations governing this industry are so stringently enforced by the local authorities and police."