A TAXI driver was yesterday given a warning after two passengers complained about his conduct in three weeks.

Clive Fellows, 44, was allowed to keep his licence to work for 1AB Taxis, but Darlington Borough Council's licensing committee warned him they may revoke it if he appeared before them again.

Mr Fellows was warned that if the offences had been reported to police, he would have had six penalty points put on his licence.

The complaints were made on April 25 and May 12. The first complaint was that he used his mobile phone while driving near South Park, in Darlington.

His female passenger said she felt unsafe and asked him to stop, but said he was rude. Mr Fellows told the committee he intended to apologise, but she was "a bit funny, so I gave her back what she gave me".

The other complaint involved an incident with another car in West Auckland Road. Mr Fellows drove his taxi over the solid white line and chevrons. He admitted exchanging visual insults with the other driver.

Mr Fellows, who has held a taxi driver's licence in Darlington since 1986, said he could not excuse his behaviour, but had learnt from his mistakes.

He said: "I've now got a hands-free kit for my mobile phone and if anyone rings when that's not on, I won't answer.

"I suppose I should not have been rude - the customer is always right."

Mr Fellows said he did not initiate the incident in West Auckland Road, and said: "There are these odd occasions where we do something and we don't mean it."

The committee warned they could suspend or revoke his licence at any time.

Pam Ross, the authority's licensing officer, said: "You must behave like a fit and proper driver by being sensible and showing courtesy."