ELEVEN out of 16 taxis stopped during a licensing crackdown failed roadside checks by inspectors.

Taxi enforcement officers, with assistance from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and Lancashire Constabulary, carried out the operation in Nelson.

Five vehicles belonging to various firms were served with immediate prohibition notices, hauling them off the roads. Identified problems included a faulty headlight, leaking ball joints and gaiters and defective valves.

Another six vehicles had delayed prohibition notices and their licences suspended until repairs were carried out.

Pendle licensing councillors were told that a couple of the drivers had minor faults repaired and were allowed back out on fares that same night. But the bulk of the cabbies saw their suspensions lifted after problems were rectified the next day.

One other had his licence restored four days later after several faults were highlighted. One driver passed his vehicle inspection but was given a fixed penalty notice for having blue headlights.