A BLIND woman has hit out at a court's decision to return a licence to a taxi firm which was accused of refusing to let her and her guide dog travel.

Nelson-based Four Star Taxis was stripped of its licence last December after Brenda Midgeley, of Bed-fordshire Avenue, Burnley, and her seven-year-old guide dog Lucy, were left stranded in the rain at the Carters and Motormen's Club, Nelson.

Mrs Midgeley, who only has residual vision after losing her sight 16 years ago, had been organising a Christmas party for people with sight difficulties at the club when she called for a taxi.

She said the driver refused to allow her to travel because her guide dog would leave hairs on the seats.

Four Star Taxis had the decision overturned by Reedley magistrates after the court ruled that it could not be proved the taxi belonged to the firm.

Returning the firm's licence, magistrates said they fully believed Brenda Midgeley, who had complained that the taxi driver had refused to allow the guide dog into the taxi.

Mrs Midgeley said: "The solicitor acting for the taxi company asked me how much I could see and this upset me because it was obvious if I can't see I can't identify them.

"The decision is a blow for blind people because taxi firms can refuse to pick blind people up but we can't identify them."

The 66-year-old pensioner, who attended court with her husband to give evidence for the council, said: "I speak collectively for guide dog owners who stand very little chance of proving what happened because we can't identify them.

"It sets a rule that taxi firms can do what they want."

Adnan Iqbal, owner of Four Star denied that the taxi firm had refused to take Mrs Midgeley.

He said: "I have lost all my business and am still rebuilding it now.

"People have got the idea that we have done something wrong and don't use us.

"It's all shattered in pieces and I am putting it back together now."