CABBIES are celebrating after Durham City Council backed down in their row over a controversial colour code.

Hackney carriage drivers carrying banners marched on the council's offices at Byland Lodge last Wednesday to protest at the council's refusal to allow Qurban Hussain a temporary licence to run an alternative vehicle while one of his cabs was being repaired.

Mr Hussain has three vehicles, all of which meet the council's rule that cabs be white and aged under five, but he needed to use a red vehicle after one of the main cars was damaged.

The city's driver operators have opposed the new colour code and won an appeal against the decision at the magistrates court.

The council is now appealing against the magistrates' upholding of the cabbies' objections and the case is expected to be heard at Durham Crown Court in July.

Following the protest the council's licensing section has allowed Mr Hussain, who runs Q Taxis, to use the red car until the other one is repaired.

And it has told two other drivers, who were granted extensions to operate non-standard vehicles until May 27, that they do not have to get the vehicles painted white until the outcome of the council's appeal.

Adrian Fets, chairman of the Durham Independent Taxi Association, who had branded the council 'pig headed', met officials to discuss the issue following the protest and said he was pleased with the outcome.

"It means we can put on non-compliant cars just to keep in work. They were stopping people from working.

"Qurban is happy because it means he can go back on the road. I'm pleased. It is nice to see a bit of common sense."

The association opposed the all-white ruling, saying it would add to confusion between cabs licensed in Durham and those from areas like Chester-le-Street and Sunderland, which are also white.

It also maintains white cars are difficult to buy and members are put to extra expense and bother in meeting the ruling. Mr Fets said he was confident the forthcoming court case would go in the cabbies' favour.

The council's licensing manager Jane Kevan said: "The meeting was simply an opportunity to pursue a sensible, short-term solution on continuing to issue temporary licenses in the light of the timetable to go back to court.

"Until that time it is common sense to maintain the status quo, reducing the risk of jeopardising taxi services to the public and, indeed, any hardship with drivers unable to use other vehicles."