TAXI drivers want Darlington Borough Council to take action to stop drivers from parking at a town centre rank.

The cabbies say they have been abused by people who park at the East Row rank, opposite the covered market, without permission.

Darlington council has agreed to designate the rank a public highway, so police can take action against the drivers, but the change is unlikely to be made until later next year.

Mick Kennedy, chairman of the Darlington Independent Taxi Drivers Organisation, said: "We have been threatened when we have asked people to move from the rank and also lost business because we cannot park there."

A spokeswoman for Darlington council said it had been agreed the rank could be designated a public highway in September. However, she said: "We cannot set a timetable on this as it is a complex process which cannot be rushed.