SCORES of taxi drivers have taken part in a protest against Uber.

About 70 cabbies drove slowly around York flying flags and handing out leaflets to passengers, as part of a nationally coordinated protest

The protest came just days after the ride-hailing firm was denied a new operating licence by Transport for London on the grounds of "public safety and security implications".

And local GMB regional organiser Lynn Brook said the decision was "a bit of a gift" in bringing the matter into the public eye, and the reaction from people in York had been positive throughout the protest

She said: "We've got about nine registered Uber drivers in York, however on the recent race day there was a stand put up for Uber drivers and multiple drivers - in excess of 50.

"It's about making sure that the council and the councillors know that there are these people who are operating in York and giving York a bad reputation and York taxi drivers a bad reputation.

Driver Wendy Loveday, who is also a GMB representative, said the council "seemed to be ignoring" some of the problems caused by out of town vehicles, including Uber.

She said: "It's not about them stealing our business, it's about public safety. Public safety is absolutely paramount to this council, and yet we can't seem to get through to them. We need to make them aware that they are responsible. They are elected members of the council and they are responsible for the safety of the passengers in our cars."

Ms Brook added: "The York drivers pride themselves on looking after the residents of York and the people visiting York, it's their livelihood that's at stake and if the Uber drivers aren't properly registered and there are things happening in York they have no control over, that's going to be a big problem for them and the reputation of York itself."

Uber said this weekend the decision in London would not affect its operation in York, and a spokesman for City of York Council said it would consider any evidence put before it during future licence hearings

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has asked Transport for London (TfL) officials to "make themselves available" to meet the boss of Uber, who has apologised for "the mistakes we've made"..

Uber has said it will launch an appeal against the decision and Dara Khosrowshahi, the chief executive of the company, accepted that it had "got things wrong."