PEOPLE using taxis over the festive period are being warned to agree fares in advance - and Hyndburn Council has warned it will take action against taxi operators who overcharge.

The council wants to ensure customers don't get a bigger bill than expected at the end of their journey and is reminding people that hackney carriages will be charging double the normal rate between New Year's Eve and January 2.

A council spokesman said that although the council has only limited powers over private hire operators, it was believed they, too, would charge double.

He advised people to agree fares at the start of their journey whether using hackney carriages or private hire cars. Coun Douglas Deakin, chairman of the council's transport and highways committee, said: "The council will not stand for overcharging and we will take action against any operator guilty of doing so."

Anyone who feels they have been overcharged should write to: the licensing enforcement officer, Hyndburn Borough Council, Cannon Street, Accrington.

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