Christmas revellers are being warned to watch out for illegal taxi drivers operating in Rossendale over the festive season.

Rossendale Council is warning that some motorists are tempted to try to earn extra money at Christmas by posing as taxi-drivers.

Council officals said illegal cabbies were putting public safety at risk and creating insurance implications because they were uninsured if they are involved in an accident.

Revellers are being reminding to check that drivers wear official badges, which prove they are classed by police and councillors as fit and proper people to drive cabs.

Coun Bob Huntbach, Rossendale Council licensing committee chairman, said: "We read each year of unlicensed people driving taxis and that has worrying public safety implications.

"Licensed drivers have to prominently display their badges. They prove they have undergone police checks.

"People are not only running the risk of something like assault.

"They also run the risk of losing out if they are injured in an accident as the vehicle will not be insured if it is being improperly used as a taxi.

"We are displaying posters in supermarkets and pubs to remind people to check their driver has a badge. It is a potential problem all year round but appears to get worse at Christmas and New Year."

Customers are also reminded that fares, set annually by Rossendale Council, are increased over the festive period. Normal rates can be doubled for journeys after 6pm on Christmas Eve, for the whole of Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and after 6pm on New Year's Eve.

Ann Kenyon, secretary of Rossendale Private Hire Association, said all taxis had to carry a tariff card.

Anyone with queries about taxi matters can telephone Rossendale Council on 01706 244673 or 01706 244511.