BURNLEY council is to review the number of licences it issues for hackney taxis because it thinks there may be too many operating in the town.

The council took the decision to review the number of licences it issues to drivers at its last executive meeting.

In January 1999 the council decided it would increase the number of hackney carriages by five a year until 2004. It fears that policy may now be out of date and there is no longer the same demand for taxis.

But it will now review that decision and try to find out whether there is sufficient demand for hackney taxis to warrant the current yearly increase.

Burnley Council officers are due to invite tenders for a survey to be carried out. Once completed the survey will be presented back to the council's ruling executive committee.