A UNION has called for consultation over a council's plans to introduce compulsory driving assessments for its workers.

Darlington Borough Council wants to bring in the assessments for any employee who drives as part of their job.

Those affected could include teachers who drive minibuses full of pupils, dog wardens and contractors working on behalf of the authority.

A council spokesman said: "We are looking at something similar to Redcar and Cleveland, where they do assess drivers. It would be an assessment of people's driving skills, with advice given, as opposed to a test which you pass or fail.

"At the moment we are just having a look at this before we make any decisions."

Alan Docherty, Unison branch secretary for Darlington, said: "We'd like consultation first of all and we'd like to know the details. But as long as nobody's job is put at risk we are not necessarily opposed to the principle.

"If there's something wrong with somebody's driving, they need to be told. It's to their advantage and to the public's."