NEW Year revellers are being urged to stay safe when travelling home from a night on the town.

Durham City Council's licensing team and Pubwatch are urging people not to take a risk on a lift home in an unlicensed taxi.

They have produced a leaflet detailing what people should look for to check a vehicle and its driver are legitimate.

Their message, and the title of their campaign, is: Know what you're getting into!

The leaflets are available from Cityinfo points, the tourist information centre and city pubs.

Despite most students being away on Christmas vacation, thousands of revellers are expected in Durham City centre to celebrate New Year's Eve, so taxi spaces will be at a premium.

Keith Draper, chairman of Durham Pubwatch, said: "We want everyone to have a good night out in Durham and end that night with a safe ride home in a properly licensed taxi."

All taxi drivers licensed by Durham City Council are issued with a driver licence badge displaying their photograph, licence number and expiry date. This must be displayed or worn while they are working.

The leaflet also explains the difference between hackney carriages, which carry white badges, and private-hire vehicles, which carry yellow badges.

Hackney carriages must display a taxi sign on the roof, can be hailed in the street and must display the council's scale of fares.

Private-hire vehicles must be booked.

Passengers who travel in a private- hire vehicle, which was not booked in advance, may not be covered by its insurance if they are involved in a road accident.

The council is urging travellers to check a taxi's licence plate and driver badge, taking note of both before beginning their journey.

If a complaint is made, it is also helpful to know the vehicle registration number, the trading name of the vehicle and the driver's name and to memorise a physical description of the driver.

Anyone who has a problem or wants to make a complaint about a vehicle or driver can contact Durham City Council's licensing section, on 0191-301-8730, email licensing@durhamcity.gov.uk, or write to Licensing Section, City of Durham Council, 17 Claypath, Durham, DH1 1RH.