TAXI drivers in Rossendale are being warned they could face prosecution if they don't wear their official badges.

And snap inspections could take place without further notification.

A report to Rossendale Council's licensing sub-committee on Wednesday says the Taxi Association has made complaints about drivers who do not wear their badges.

Last month, 77 drivers were checked at locations throughout Rossendale. Forty-seven were wearing and displaying their badges correctly, 14 were wearing them but not properly displayed.

Another nine were not wearing their badge but had them available in the vehicle and seven did not have a badge, although inquiries revealed they were all properly licensed drivers.

Chief executive officer Steven Hartley in a report to the committee says: "There seems no compelling reason why a driver who is properly licensed should not wear his badge.

"The area of greater concern relates to those cases where an unlicensed driver is driving a licensed vehicle."

He reports that Hackney Carriage drivers who do not wear their badge are guilty of an offence against the bye laws.

There were implications for community safety if unlicensed drivers were operating in the borough but that had not been highlighted as a problem by the checks.

The sub-committee is being asked to note the report and to approve a further exercise without additional notice and prosecutions taken out in any appropriate cases.