A 'TURF 'war' between taxis has been predicted as tensions rise over competing city cabbies and Uber drivers.

Trade representative for Durham City cabbies, Neville Forbes, said tensions have reached breaking point between drivers in the city and Uber drivers who travel in from Newcastle.

Mr Forbes, who has been a taxi driver for 16 years, said a "two-tiered system" has been created after the Deregulation Act of 2015.

Mr Forbes said the reasoning behind the act was well meant as it allowed Newcastle drivers with Durham passengers to pick up a return fare but 100 Uber drivers regularly operated within the city.

"Durham taxis have regulations and have to have licenses to work in Durham City centre - we are answerable to Durham County Council whereas Newcastle drivers aren't," he said. "It's a fiasco with a loophole in the law."

Mr Forbes is now calling for the law to be changed and has taken his plight to local councillors as well as MP Roberta Blackman-Woods.

"There are numerous councillors on board who understand our plight," Mr Forbes said. "There's going to be a war in Durham City - drivers are up in arms and there's already been numerous occasions where there's been confrontations."

Mr Forbes said he also had concerns over the safety of passengers and for the high street as money that would be spent in Durham was being taken back to Newcastle.

A spokesman for Dr Blackman-Woods said the MP was "very much aware of his concerns" and has agreed to write to the Minister of Transport on his behalf.

Durham County Councillor for Neville's Cross, Liz Brown, said she hoped to work with the taxi drivers to start lobbying the government to change the law.

Joanne Waller, Durham County Council’s head of environment, health and consumer protection, said: “While we understand Mr Forbes’ comments, we are bound by national legislation and our approach mirrors that of councils up and down the country. This legislation allows anyone to apply to us for licences regardless of where they are based or which company they work for. Those that meet our requirements will, in accordance with the law, be given a licence.

“Hackney carriage drivers who are not licensed by us are not able to pick up from ranks or ply for hire in our area but the legislation allows them to pick up people who have pre-booked regardless of location. Private hire drivers can only take pre-bookings but they can work anywhere. We work very closely with Durham Constabulary to ensure that all drivers operating in our county act in accordance with the law. We will take appropriate action if we have evidence of any licensed driver operating outside of the legal requirements.”

Uber was approached for a comment but did not reply.