COUNCILLORS will decide today (Thursday) if they will back plans to allow taxi drivers to walk away with megabucks on New Year's Eve.

Preston's cabbies want permission to charge 96 per cent more than the traditional Christmas fare - meaning it will cost £4.20 just to sit in a hackney carriage on New Year's Eve.

A 10-mile journey in a cab between December 31 and January 2, 2000 will cost £36.

If councillors on Preston's licensing committee decide to back the proposals, locals will have a fortnight to object.

Sandra Chesters, from Preston's Hackney Carriage Drivers Association, claimed: "These charges are in keeping with elsewhere and reflect the costs we have had to endure.

"We are working on a very special night."

Blackpool and Hyndburn councils have refused to let their cabbies increase their fares, while Chorley is only letting its cabbies charge the usual New Year rates.

Fylde and Ribble Valley councils are allowing drivers to charge double the new year rate.

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