A TAXI driver is angry at being told to remove a sign on his cab that reads "Don't Drink & Drive...Use a Taxi".

Rory Stein, an independent taxi driver operating in Darlington, fixed the words to the side of his seven-seater taxi almost three months ago.

"It's a bit light-hearted really, but also gives the message out to people in town not to jump in their car to drive home if they have had a few drinks," said Mr Stein, of Skerne Park, Darlington.

But Darlington Borough Council, which issued Mr Stein with his taxi licence, has told him to remove the lettering along with two Santa cut-outs hanging in his back window, following a complaint from a member of the public.

A council spokesman said that the positioning of the advertising on the side of the taxi did not comply with council policy.

He said: "We have not got a problem with the actual wording but it needs to be placed on the rear doors or rear quarter panels of the vehicle.

"The Father Christmas cut-outs need to be taken down so they don't obscure his view."

But Mr Hodgson insists that the cardboard decorations do not distort his view because they sit behind the back seats.

He said he is refusing to remove the items until he has received a written copy of the complaint made to the council.