A BLACKPOOL taxi driver is calling for more council help to cash in on Euros.

Hackney cab driver Les Wilson, of Mere Road, wants Blackpool Borough Council to give more guidance -- possibly through workshops -- to taxi drivers and small traders faced with tourists bearing new and unfamiliar Euro notes.

Les, 53, said: "Last weekend I had three passengers, two Irish and one German, who offered me Euros for their fares.

"The Irish people went back to their friends and managed to change theirs.

"The German guy said he never thought about changing his money because he said wherever he goes now in Europe it is just one currency.

"He ended up giving me the Euro note and didn't bother about the change!"

Les said he contacted Blackpool Town Hall to ask for guidance on the new currency but was told it was nothing to do with them.

"The main query I had was were they genuine? I didn't even know what they looked like," he said.

"I think the Town Hall should be doing something to inform us. The big stores I know are taking Euros, but what about the small businesses?

"How are people going to change Euro notes if the banks are closed? I don't want to start upsetting tourists by saying I can't take them."

A spokesman for the council's tourism department said he was not aware of any workshops being planned by the council, but agreed the issue was "very important" particularly with the Commonwealth Games coming to the North West this year.

He said efforts were being made to get information together and said: "An increasing number of Blackpool businesses including hotels already take Euros and we are drawing up a list to show people where they can spend Euros and where they can change them."

He added that information about Euros is available for Blackpool businesses from the North West Euro Forum.

Forum spokesman, Euro information officer Harry Savage, said businesses don't have to take Euros, but if taxi drivers and traders decided to do so they could approach their bank manager for advice, and make sure they considered practicalities such as how to convert currencies and keep up to date with exchange rates.

He said businesses can log on to www.eurohelp.org.uk for more details.