A NATIONAL taxi firm whose vision is to make sure all cabbies are professionals is looking at Darlington as a possible location for a driver training school.

Taxibank, which recently bought Station Taxis, based at Bank Top railway station, is looking for a suitable North-East location for its second UK taxi-driving school.

Currently the Plymouth firm, which was launched in October 2000, has more than 700 operators with about 25,000 cabs working under the Taxibank name across the UK. Each owner-driver must pass a comprehensive course at the company's driving school before he or she can join the group and wear the uniform.

Quentin Fulljames-Curtis, Taxibank managing director, told the D&S Times the firm's aim was to raise standards and turn the job into a career.

He said: "Every one of our drivers must pass the course in Plymouth before they are taken on. All must wear a white shirt with a Taxibank logo, dark blue tie and dark blue or black trousers, black shoes and blue or black socks.

"In the summer they can wear a short-sleeved shirt without a tie but the shirt must have epaulettes carrying the company logo.

"This is our corporate image. It is designed to give people pride in their job and assure customers that their drivers are professionals. Taxi driving must move away from being a part-time job to a full-time professional career."

He added: "We are looking at the possibility of locating the second school in Darlington."

Barry Pearson, Darlington Council commercial licensing manager, confirmed he was in talks with Taxibank. He said: "The company's approach is very much in line with the council's and we would welcome the school in the town."

* See page 4.