SAFETY checks on about 100 taxis in Durham City uncovered dozens of minor faults.

Ninety-nine taxi owners were asked to attend inspections at the Dragonville council depot, in the Gilesgate area of the city, last Friday.

The checks were carried out by officers from Durham Constabulary's Accident Investigation Unit, beat bobbies from the Sherburn section, and taxi enforcement officers from Durham City Council.

There were 30 verbal warnings, and 22 defect forms were issued, giving operators a chance to fix the faults.

The warnings and notices covered 74 offences, mainly concerning lights, brakes, worn tyres, faulty batteries, and problems with registration plates and windscreens.

No vehicle was ordered off the road.

PC Keith Butler, one of the investigators, said: "I would say about two-thirds of the vehicles were in good order, but the rest had faults which could be put down to simple carelessness.

"The operators knew they were bringing the vehicles in for a check and the faults we found were ones which could easily have been avoided.

"This again points to the need to make the safety of the travelling public a priority."

Similar operations have taken place in Chester-le-Street, and more are planned in other areas.