A REPUTABLE taxi firm has pulled out of the running for £100,000 worth of school run contracts rather than ask its drivers to undergo stringent new police checks.

Darlington's 1AB Taxis has withdrawn from ten contracts with Darlington Borough Council to take 20 children to and from school.

The four-year contracts would have been worth £104,000 to the taxi firm, which has never done school runs for the council in the past.

Shaun Bainbridge, director of 1AB taxis, said the firm were acting on principle when they made the decision not to take on the contracts.

Mr Bainbridge said: "The drivers are unhappy because it seems there is a new law every year. We have nothing to hide. It is just all these regulations - each year it is something else."

Since new legislation in April 2002, drivers are obliged by law to undergo detailed inspection by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

These checks are in addition to those already administered by the council. The standard procedure includes a police check and a medical examination.

The Education Department also requires an enhanced check to be done on drivers carrying children in their cabs.

If the taxi firm had accepted the contracts, each driver would have been scrutinised by the CRB.

At a cost of £22 per driver, the CRB check considers convictions, spent convictions and added police intelligence on any formal investigations.

Mr Bainbridge, said: "We already have police checks on the drivers, as well as having to go through a severe medical examination. There is a lot of trust involved.

"Now schools are asking for further police checks."

He said: "Out of principle we will not do it. Yes we are carrying children, but every driver has been checked already.

"If we have to take another check it makes a mockery of those we have already had."

A spokeswoman for the council said: "It is a check that would cost the firm £220 in total for the ten drivers. It serves to protect vulnerable people and should be welcomed.

"Those are the rules and we have to adhere to them"

She said: "We are working flat out to ensure there is no disruption for the children returning to school."