TAXI drivers were today set to meet with council bosses to discuss how to make their job safer.

Tonight's meeting, involving drivers from many of Blackburn with Darwen's cab firms, has taken several months to organise and was prompted by a series of incidents involving drivers last year.

Several drivers reported being lured into traps by thugs, who called them out to jobs only to attack them and their vehicles once they arrived.

One option being proposed by taxi drivers is the introduction of CCTV cameras.

There have also been serious incidents in other North West towns, culminating in the death of a taxi driver in Oldham.

But council bosses also hope to stress the importance of making sure passengers are safe in taxis too.

They want to press home the message that vehicles should be kept in a good condition on the road.

It is also hoped more taxi drivers will consider installing seat belts in the back of their vehicles and will encourage more passengers to use them.

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for welfare and citizen's rights, said: "This seminar has taken a lot of hard work to arrange.

"It is about making using a taxi safer and also about making driving a taxi safer."