ONE of the largest taxi firms in the North-East, has reported a growth in business with the number of weekly bookings increasing by several thousand.

To meet the demand for its services, Boro Taxis is recruiting about 50 additional drivers, as it aims to increase staff numbers to almost 950.

Bookings have risen from between 70,000 and 80,000 jobs a week to more than 80,000.

Mohammed Bashir, the firm's founder, said: “The growth in business is a combination of an increase in corporate clients and more bookings from individual members of the public.”

Boro Taxis recently invested a six-figure sum installing software, focusing on improving how the company dispatches taxis and the operation of its accounts.

Mr Bashir added: “Our recent investment in the latest technology, allied with our mobile phone App and the ability for customers to book online via our website, has have all contributed to this increase in business.

“It seems that the economy on Teesside has taken a turn for the better with people going out more leading to a noticeable increase in the number of bookings at Boro Taxis.”