A COUNCIL has vowed to continue catching taxi drivers whose cars are not up to scratch after a sting operation saw two thirds of vehicles taken off the road.

Of the 12 private hire and Hackney carriage vehicles examined as part of Operation Safe Passenger -- a joint venture between Hyndburn Council and the police -- eight were found to be unroadworthy.

During a four-hour period from 6pm to 10pm four officers from Accrington Police Station stopped and checked the vehicles and carried out examinations.

Faulty vehicles were taken to the council's central vehicle maintenance unit where staff carried out comprehensive tests to assess whether they were suitable for use as a taxi.

Eight of the vehicles examined were found to have faults that led to them being suspended immediately, and two had out-of-date tax discs. Faults ranged from minor lighting defects to defective tyres.

One of the cabs -- licensed by Burnley Council -- was in such a poor state of repair that it had to be towed to a garage for repair after the spot checks.

As a result of the operation two drivers were prosecuted. Letters of caution have been sent to all those in breach of the council's licensing conditions. All the vehicles are now back on the road after making the necessary repairs.

Steve Todd, head of environmental health services, said: "This operation has clearly shown that some taxi drivers in Hyndburn are failing to maintain their vehicles to the standards required.

"We must ensure the safety of the travelling public and to this end we will continue to work in partnership with the police in order to improve the standard of licensed private hire vehicles and Hackney carriages."

Tim O'Kane portfolio holder for environmental health, said: "Our primary aim is to ensure the safety of the travelling public in Hyndburn, and this joint operation has highlighted the need for continued vigilance. However, I would also like to stress that a large number of private hire vehicles do adhere to the council's high standards, and that these types of operation are intended to make sure that all operators are brought up to the same level."

But Mohammed Arif, chairman of the Hyndburn Taxi Cab Association, said the tests were too stringent and hit the drivers during peak times.

"As far as I'm concerned a spot check would be on the spot and they would check the brakes and tyres and let them go," he said.

"If the suspension, brakes and tyres are OK that should be all right. If you have got to carry out an MoT on a regular basis I can't see any car passing that. Also if they want to carry out these things they should do it in the week -- they always do it on a Friday or Saturday, which are our busiest nights."

Hyndburn Council issues around 62 Hackney carriage licences a year and 230 private hire licences.

Officers and councillors are planning to repeat the operation without warning.