RIBBLE Valley Borough Council has carried out checks to ensure taxis in the borough are roadworthy.

Taxi enforcement officers from the council worked with the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency to make inspections at various sites in Clitheroe.

Of the 12 taxis checked, three drivers were served with advisory notices requiring work to be carried out on the vehicles within seven days.

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Ribble Valley Borough Council’s taxi enforcement officer Carl Rung said: “Maintaining a high standard of vehicles is something we take seriously and we carry out regular checks to ensure taxis and their drivers are meeting licensing requirements.”

Mr Rung said the vehicles were subject to a rigorous inspection and he was happy with the results.

“The council requires the immediate withdrawal of hackney carriage or private hire vehicles constituting a risk to public safety, or work carried out to ensure the vehicles are of a high standard.

“Although three vehicles were served with notices, we are delighted that most were of an excellent standard,” he added. Ribble Valley residents are reminded to not use unlicensed taxis or flag down private hire vehicles over the summer.

A council spokesman said people should check drivers were wearing their identification badges that have photographs and are in date.

Yellow plate private hire vehicles must be pre-booked, with only ‘blue plate’ hackney cabs legal to be flagged down or hired from a taxi rank.

Private hire fees should be agreed in advance while metered hackney cab fees are set by the council.

The council’s register of licensed operators is on its website, where people can check the names and vehicles of taxi licence holders.

Anyone who suspects a taxi firm of operating without a licence or a driver without a licence, or using an unlicensed vehicle, are asked to contact the councils licensing team on 01200 414411.