I WOULD like to apologise to the disabled and elderly people in our community who cannot use black cabs because of their disability and who have, for many years, depended on our saloon taxi service.

I have to apologise because I can no longer operate my saloon taxi. Sixteen individuals, myself included, have had to drop their appeal against Bury Council who are forcing our saloons off the road because they consider the service we provide to the disabled and elderly does not meet the requirements of the Disabled Discrimination Act (which, I should add, is not even on the statute book yet).

We apologise, but we cannot carry on with our appeal due to the high cost of taking this matter through the courts. We all feel we would win this case. However, Bury Council are pricing us out and using Bury's community taxes to fight the case and effectively put up to 32 taxi drivers on the "dole".

A few of these drivers, employees of Farebay Taxis on Bolton Street, Bury, will carry on providing a service for the disabled and elderly, operating on a private hire basis. As this court case has already cost drivers thousands of hard-earned pounds, we would be grateful if people would carry on using Farebay to show us their support.

I am disgusted with Bury Council for not allowing me to continue making a living with my taxi. And I for one will not be voting for this party at the next election.

D. S. NAISBITT,

Whalley Drive,

Lowercroft, Bury.