UNION bosses are calling on a council to suspend its controversial tests for taxi drivers pending a court hearing.

The Amicus union is backing three Hackney carriage drivers who are taking Darlington Borough Council to court over the compulsory advanced driving test.

Amicus said the test, introduced by the authority in November 2002, is unlawful and unfair to experienced Hackney drivers, who must sit it to get their licences renewed.

The union will represent the first driver at an appeal at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court in July.

Gerry Hunter, from the union, said he had written to the council in February to ask that the Driver Standards Agency (DSA) test be suspended.

He said: "They have not even replied to my correspondence. I sent a letter and a chasing letter asking them if they would be gracious enough to suspend the tests until we find out what the court is going to say.

"The sadness of all this, in my eyes, is that here you have got Darlington Borough Council and citizens of Darlington locked in litigation. It is absolutely tragic."

Taxi companies said drivers with years of experience should not have to sit the test.

They said many were leaving the trade because of it or failing the exam through nerves and finding themselves out of work.

Mr Hunter said: "Some of my members have been driving taxis in Darlington for more than 25 years.

"Darlington council comes along and changes the rules and could actually make these people unemployed. It is appaling."

A council spokeswoman said: "Mr Hunter was given a verbal response when he first contacted the council.

"He was told that no, we will not suspend the test. We will not change our policy just because a case is in process."

A report to be presented to the authority's licensing committee next week revealed that the pass-rate for drivers who have sat the test locally is just over half.

The council's licensing manager, Barry Pearson, said he was disappointed with that figure, particularly because the authority offered cabbies free pre-test assessments with a driving instructor.

He said: "It looks low to me. I have asked for a meeting with the DSA to see what we can do to improve it."