DISABLED people have been giving their views on a range of taxis with wheelchair access that could be coming to the city's streets.

Durham City Council wants to increase the number of hackney carriages that can accommodate wheelchair users.

Only three operate in the city out of the 55 taxis that can be hailed from the street without booking.

Yesterday, members of Durham City Access For All and Durham Shopmobility met taxi drivers and companies to look at the models available and discuss their needs.

The findings will be passed on to the council's economic scrutiny panel, which will make recommendations to the cabinet on the granting of licences for drivers.

The panel's chairman, Councillor Roger Pape, said: "It has been useful exercise.

"We were looking for views regarding the easy access and exiting of these types of taxi from wheelchair users.

"We have got the views of the disabled users, the taxi companies and the drivers.

"This will all be part of the consultation process."

The display was held at Sherburn Leisure Centre, Sherburn Village, County Durham.