TAXI managers will meet council officers and police later this week to address the growing shortage of cabbies in the town.

Darlington Borough Council has invited taxi firm bosses to the private meeting on Friday because of concern over the lack of cabs late at night.

A council spokeswoman there were fears that the lack of taxis could create public order problems. She said: "People being stranded in the town centre could create trouble. We have called the meeting together to address the issue of finding taxis late at night."

Angry taxi bosses spoke out about the shortage of drivers at a meeting last month, claiming it was becoming impossible to recruit people to the job.

Trevor Barnes, of 1AB Taxis, cited the new compulsory taxi drivers' test and increased attacks on drivers.

Mr Barnes claims the doors of his Hackney carriage were damaged by a customer on Friday night outside the White Horse pub in Harrowgate Hill.

A 22-year-old man has been charged with criminal damage in relation to the incident and will appear before magistrates on March 18.

Mr Barnes said his failure to recruit new drivers meant he had taken half his fleet of cars off the road. He said: "The police are great but it's getting worse and it puts people off."

Chief Inspector Barry Knevitt of Darlington police said officers were planning to meet drivers to discuss the increased number of attacks.