EXPELLED drivers are being allowed back into the Private Hire Association at Burnley as a war continues against a council decision to increase fees.

The drivers are angry at a council decision to put up fees by 3.5 per cent and at the appointment of an extra taxi enforcement officer.

Now an emergency meeting of the association has been called for next week -- and expelled members are being urged to attend to build up a voice against the move.

Members who have been expelled for offences such as plying for hire are amongst those being invited back.

Unlike Hackney carriages, private hire drivers are not allowed to pick up fares with the journey having been booked or people calling in at the office. Secretary Duncan Allan said: "I can't say what action, if any, will be taken, that is up to the members.

"What we want is to get around the table and get matters cleared up, the situation is a mess."

In a letter to the council, Mr Allan said the association had worked hard to establish links with the department with the intention of creating a positive working relationship beneficial to both parties.

He said: "Your department's failure to deliver promises, spiralling costs, ever-changing rules and regulations and the like it or lump it attitude shown towards private hire confirms the obvious hidden agenda -- reduction in private hire vehicles supports the introduction of extra Hackney carriages." But the council's licensing committee chairman, Coun Philip Walsh, said that was not true.

He said: "As far as I am concerned the main reason for employing an additional part-time enforcement officer is because of the amount of work involving in trying to control the problem of private hire drivers plying for hire.

"It is a big problem in the town centre especially at weekends when people who are often not legitimate private hire people come into the town centre."

Coun Walsh said last year's proposed increase of 15-17 per cent in fees had been reduced to 10 per cent.

With a 3.5 per cent increase this year he did not believe the private hire drivers had much to complain off. It amounted to 50p a a car a week.

Mr Allan claimed the department had refused to "compromise, support or give any consideration to the private industry."

He added: "Unification must now be our priority, all expelled members will have their expulsions rescinded immediately.

"With the exception of criminal activity all members will receive full Association support."

The Association would no longer be attending Transport Forum meetings.

The 400-plus strong Association unanimously rejected the appointment of the extra enforcement officer after hearing the cost of the new post would have to be met out of higher licence fees.

They called for a freeze on the post until a full review of taxi matters in Burnley is carried out in the wake of the decision to place a seven year age restriction on cabs.

That was rejected.

Mr Allan said the average taxi driver only earned between £1.50-£2 an hour while the new officer would be paid in the region of £9-£10 an hour.