TAXI drivers are escaping hefty licensing fees in Darlington by making a 200-mile round-trip to Berwick.

Desperate cabbies are clocking up the miles to avoid what they describe as extortionate costs imposed by their council.

In what is becoming a regional trend, taxi drivers from built-up areas are heading to rural boroughs such as Berwick, Tynedale, Derwentside and Eden Valley to license their cars.

The cost to test and license a private hire taxi and driver in Darlington for a 12-month period is £529. In Berwick, it is £258.

As long as the taxi remains for private hire only, the law says the licence is transferable.

David Wilson, of Berwick Borough Council, confirmed the authority had licensed three Darlington taxis last week, and said he expected more.

He said: "Word is spreading. We are processing applications from all over the North and we are expecting an application from mid-Wales."

The Department for Transport said councils can set their own licensing fees, but said they must not make a profit.

Cabbies are baffled as to why licence fees vary so much.

Michael Dunn, a consultant for Station Taxis, in Darlington, who took the three cars to Berwick last week, said: "We did not want to go down this line, but we have been forced into it. It took 14 days for us to just get an appointment with Darlington Borough Council. We rang Berwick council the next day and by the following evening, we were driving back into Darlington with three licensed cars."

By taking its cars to Berwick, Station Taxis will save thousands of pounds.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said the Berwick fee was merely administrative, while their fee included an enforcement element, ensuring drivers and vehicles complied with stringent standards.

They include driving and medical tests for drivers, and extensive mechanical tests for taxis.

He said: "If the taxi is one that is registered in Berwick, both vehicle and driver have not been subjected to the same level of testing that is the case in Darlington. It could have a huge impact on public safety.

"We make sure the taxis are complying with first-class standards of public safety. Our fees are in line with most other local authorities.