A TAXI driver will be appealing to Darlington Borough Council to help her keep her taxi licence next week.

Elaine Finlayson, 51, of Scargill, Darlington, who has been a taxi driver in the town since 1994, wants to extend her licence until May 10 so she can re-take the controversial taxi driving test.

Darlington Borough Council introduced the Driver Standards Agency test in October 2002 and said all taxi drivers applying for new licences would have to pass.

It was considered to be a controversial move and some taxi drivers, with the backing of union Amicus, took the council to court, where the test was declared unlawful.

The decision was overturned by a high court judge and, from April 1 this year, the council changed its policy so all drivers applying for a licence must pass the test.

Mrs Finlayson will appear before the town's licensing committee on Wednesday, and is expected to explain she failed the test on April 19, but has arranged a further test on May 10, and would like to keep her licence until that date.