TAXI drivers are to undergo 'vital' safeguarding training to help the battle against child sexual exploitation.

Those licensed by Hyndburn Council will undertake the programme to spot young people who are being sexually exploited and how to report it.

Funded by the police and crime commissioner, Clive Brunshaw, and the council, the teaching comes as part of National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Raising Day on Saturday.

The training will take place at Accrington and Rossendale College and it was designed by specialist officers at Lancashire Police.

Mr Grunshaw said tackling the sexual exploitation of children is a key priority.

He said: "It is not just a policing issue. We must all do what we can to prevent these crimes from happening and to enable people to spot the signs so they can raise the alarm if needed.

"The training for taxi drivers does exactly that and I am happy to give it my full support.

"Unfortunately young people do still fall victim to sexual exploitation.

"Young people who have been affected can access specialist advice, counselling and support to help them report issues and get back on their feet."

The awareness raising day aims to highlight the issues surrounding child sexual exploitation and encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse.

Taxi driver John Weeks, who has already undergone the training, said: "The training was very informative and will definitely assist me in playing my part to help safeguard vulnerable young people."

Another awareness day goal is for people to adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children.

Cllr Gareth Molineux, cabinet member for resources on the council, said: "Raising awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation is vitally important, so that everyone across the country knows that we all must play our part, learn how to spot the signs and speak out to stop it.

"This training is all about working together to inform, educate and prevent children from being sexually abused and it has now become a mandatory requirement to undertake the CSE module as part of gaining a new taxi licence.

"I am really pleased that Hyndburn’s taxi drivers are whole-heartedly supporting this initiative as they are the eyes and ears of the local community and can help in the fight against child sexual exploitation."