TAXI drivers in Darlington are protesting against proposals to increase licence fees.

Darlington Borough Council wants to raise the Hackney carriage drivers' licence from £49 to £55 and the car licence from £260 to £290.

Taxi proprietor Nigel Nevison has drawn up a letter of objection which has been signed by 50 protestors, including some of the town's biggest taxi firms.

He says he expects to get the support of at least half of the town's taxi operators.

Mr Nevison fears the move could be the precursor to an increase in fare tariffs, already amongst the highest in the country outside London.

The letter says: "We in the taxi trade feel that the passengers that we convey are yet again being set up to pay more for a journey than is necessary. We also feel that the passengers we carry are not a bottomless money bank for the licensing office to dip into as it sees fit."

Mr Nevison says he hopes the strength of feeling will persuade the borough council not to increase the licence fees.

A spokeswoman for the local authority said: "We are currently going through a consultation period and we welcome comments, all of which will be taken into consideration."