TAXI bosses have accused Burnley council of empire building after the authority decided to employ an extra taxi enforcement officer.

Burnley's 400-strong Private Hire Association voted unanimously to reject the council move after hearing the cost of the new post would have to be met out of higher licence fees.

They have called for a freeze on the post until a full review of taxi matters in Burnley is carried out in the wake of the decision to place a seven year age restriction on cabs.

Association secretary Duncan Allan said: "The urgency shown by the council to employ more staff at this time appears to have little to do with passenger safety and everything to do with local government empire building."

The Association has also lodged a formal complaint to the council's plan to increase licensing fees by 3.5 per cent in the coming year.

The council has said extra staff are needed to ensure safety enforcement is fully carried out.