ROCKETING insurance premiums and vandals are forcing cab drivers in Blackburn and Darwen off the road, according to a drivers' leader.

Mohammed Nawaz Khan (pictured), chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Private Hire Association, said increasing costs were driving private hire operators out of business and made it almost impossible for younger drivers to continue.

A fare increase being brought in in Blackburn and Darwen from Monday was blamed by drivers on a four-fold increase in annual insurance premiums.

Mr Khan said: "There are a lot of people who have pulled out because they cannot afford it. Many firms have cut back on staff until it's just the owner left running it as a one-man business serving loyal customers just to keep the name going.

"Some firms are really on Skid Row. They only keep going because of all the time and money invested in the business."

He said many drivers can only afford to insure against third party damage and have to meet the cost of any other damage caused by unruly passengers and road accidents from their own pockets. Last month Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Malcolm Doherty warned Mill Hill, Blackburn, could become a "no-go" area at night for cabs following a spate of attacks on buses and taxis.

In the latest incident Abdul Gahffar, a driver for Arcade Private Hire, Cross Street, Blackburn, sat shaking in his car as thugs wrecked his windows, kicked the bodywork and vandalised the inside of his Honda Accord, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

Mr Khan said the car was still lying unrepaired and unusable six weeks after the attack because Mr Gahffar only had third party insurance and cannot afford the repair bill.

The fare increase will see the charge for journeys up to one mile, to be made by all members of the association, go up 20p to £2. Prices for journeys up to two miles will cost £2.70 instead of £2.50. Each subsequent mile will stay at 80p up to four miles. A five mile journey will cost £5, the same as before, with each extra mile costing £1.

Mr Khan said operators had no choice but to charge more. "Drivers are not making ends meet," he said.

"A year ago someone paying between £500 and £600 for insurance is now paying £2,200, and it's still going up. It's gone up so high and the figures they are quoting for next year are unbelievable."

He also said rising fuel costs had hit drivers hard, and every four months their cars have to be MOT'd at £45 and pay for a new taxi registration plate, at £49.

A spokesman for the Association of British Insurers said: "Motor insurance makes a loss for insurers at the moment. They are paying out more in claims then they get in premiums.

"Cab drivers will pay more to start with because of the risks they run and the rise in their premiums will be larger than other drivers."