AN East Lancashire MP is 'staggered' by the Government's decision to withdraw Uber's licence in London last week.

Transport for London announced that Uber London Limited will lose its private hire operator licence after expiry of its private current licence on September 30.

More than 740,000 people have signed an online petition in a bid to keep Uber operating in London after its license expires.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, who has used Uber in London, Italy and Uruguay, said:

Nigel Evans said: ""One of the major capital cities in the world has decided to withdraw Uber's licence without sitting down and talking it through.

""I just find it staggering.

"I have used Uber, black cabs and mini cabs several times and I have to say that Uber has been nothing but prompt and polite.

"They have forced in new competition in the industry, which I think is a good thing.

"They are not angels in every respect and it's not always cheap but this ban will have an impact on the 40,000 drivers in London.

"On top of that around 3.5 million people will be without their usual means of getting around the capital."