PEOPLE in Darlington could soon find they are unable to get a taxi because of a lack of drivers, a meeting was warned this week.

Taxi drivers who gathered at Darlington College of Technology to hear about a new course for recruits said the town had a serious problem.

Trevor Barnes, of 1AB Taxis, said: "We can't drag them off the streets to do this job. Before long, the public will not be able to get a taxi.

"I have never seen queues so long in my life as in Bondgate and the Market Place now."

He said it was so hard to recruit drivers that he was having to take five of his cars off the road, leaving him with only two.

The 13-week course for drivers has been devised by Darlington Borough Council and the college to encourage people to take up taxi driving.

Many people will be eligible to have their college fees paid and will receive qualifications in customer service and vehicle maintenance if they complete the course.

Those attending will also have to sit the new taxi driver's test - now compulsory for cabbies in the town.

Mr Barnes said the test, along with police checks and the high cost of a licence, was deterring people from joining the trade.

"The council needs to get into the real world," he said.

"People don't want to go to college, they want a job and they want to earn some money."

A council spokeswoman said: "We are trying to offer a course which will improve the competence and skills of new drivers.

"It's hoped that this will attract people to the job. The course is also open to existing drivers, though it is not compulsory."