A COUNCIL has been forced to change its licensing conditions after losing a battle in the crown court over the colour of a taxi-driver's windows.

An amended condition relating to the glazing of taxi cabs working in Darlington is being put before the borough council's cabinet on Tuesday.

The move comes after cabbie John Stoddart, of Galaxy Cars, took the council to Teesside Crown Court and won.

Mr Stoddart was refused a Hackney carriage licence in May because the council said the windows in his car were not a standard tint and too dark.

But he appealed against the decision because he said the windows of his Ford Galaxy were fitted as standard by the manufacturer.

The authority is looking to change the wording of its licensing conditions, which state that taxis should be fitted with windows of the manufacturer's standard tint and not blackened glass.

The revised conditions will stipulate that windscreens should allow 75 per cent light transmission and all other windows at least 70 per cent.

A council spokesman said darkened glass was not allowed on taxis as a public and road safety measure.

If passed by the cabinet when it meets next week, the ruling will not apply to vehicles at present licensed by the council.