TAXI drivers in Rossendale have met with police over claims that their drivers are being racially abused by rival firms.

The Hate Crime Unit at Lancashire Police is investigating two incidents where white drivers were allegedly abused by Asian drivers.

The names of the firms have not been released but police are urging drivers to come forward if they have been targeted.

Diversity officer Syed Naqui said: “One or two concerns were raised by Rossendale taxi drivers which we are now looking into.

"We have been told there have been incidents between white and Asian firms in Rossendale.”

Concerns were raised during a meeting of the Taxi Liaison Group between taxi drivers, councillors and police. One white driver said he was verbally abused over the phone by “an Asian sounding person”.

Another incident is alleged to have taken place in Rochdale when a white driver said he received abuse from Asian drivers.

Glen Bulcock, chairman of Rossendale Taxi Association, said: “These incidents are very few and far between and during my 25 years working in the taxi trade, I have hardly seen it.

“Due to the financial strain on the taxi business these days, drivers are very protective over the area which they cover for fear of poaching business.

“I think there might have been a miscomm-unication between two drivers from different areas which fuelled the comments.”

Licensing chairman Coun Jimmy Eaton said: “We have passed details of these allegations to the police for them to investigate further.”