BADLY behaved passengers in Blackpool cabs could find themselves "starring" on screen very soon if they aren't careful... and not the Hollywood variety.

Cabbies in Blackpool can now install CCTV in their taxis after the Public Protection Committee passed a motion that will give taxi drivers the right to film the antics of their passengers.

Although the controversial motion has been passed there are many further implications involved -- namely costs and who is going to pay. The cabbies themselves appear to have mixed feelings about the cameras.

Chairman of Streamline Taxis in Blackpool, Chris Hargreaves, said: "Some drivers may have reservations about having a spy, as it were, in the cab. I am sure some will be interested in it, particularly the licensed taxis who pick up at random.

"But we need to find out more about the costs and exactly how it will work."

Roger Cannon, secretary of Black Tax in Blackpool, had similar concerns about costs and pointed out: "We are already paying the council money to be allowed to taxi on the roads. We wouldn't want it to be mandatory and would require some financial help to install it.

"It sounds like a pipe dream and we have other more important things to consider before this."

Coun Henry Mitchell is addressing the question of costs directly and has already put forward a further motion to discuss the issue of funding at the full council meeting to take place next week.

Coun Mitchell said: "At the meeting we will be asking the executive to further consider helping with the funding of CCTV for the cabs. After all, we had help from the Government to install the cameras throughout the town centre. It is thought that it will cost approximately £600 to £1,200 to install a camera in each cab.

"I also believe it would encourage more taxi drivers to install the cameras and will in turn improve safety for passengers.

"Also at present the cameras can be viewed every seven days, for instance, by the police but I would like to see a live direct link-up with the police in the future."

However, crime prevention officer for Blackpool police PC John Roper, said: "I don't believe the control room could cope with a direct live link-up with the cabs but the cameras are a good idea and the police could view tapes when an incident had occurred for example.

"Cameras have already been installed on public transport and they have cut down problems on certain bus routes very successfully."