TAXI drivers in Darlington last night voted in favour of strike action over opposition to a new driving standards test.

But some expressed concern about public safety when the strike goes ahead.

Under new rules imposed by Darlington Borough Council, cabbies must take a driving standards test before their licences can be renewed.

At a meeting held to discuss strike plans last night, drivers voiced their opposition to the test and vowed to fight the council ruling.

They also voted unanimously to contribute funds to hire a barrister to fight the council in court.

Mick Kennedy, of the Darlington Independent Taxi Traders' Association, said the strike was planned for a busy time - for example, a Saturday night.

But drivers will not disclose the date of their strike so the council cannot implement contingency plans.

Some cabbies said they feared the public would be put at risk if revellers were left stranded in the centre of town.

One said: "Darlington is not a safe place at the moment - we have had murders, rapes, all sorts. What about the ladies having to walk home at 2am because they can't get a taxi?"

Another said: "Darlington council is not worth putting people at risk for."

But the overwhelming majority voted in favour of the action.

Mr Kennedy also announced plans for a mass demonstration and march from Northgate to the town hall next month.

He said: "We want to get the public on our side and we need to show them why we are against the test."

Cabbies fear the new test will put many out of business.

One said: "I think it is because there are too many taxi drivers in the town and it is the council's way of cutting the numbers down.

"But if someone has a car on hire purchase, and they fail the test, they cannot work until they pass. That could be three or four weeks without a wage coming in - and then missed payments on the car, and a black mark against their name with the bank. Then that driver can't get another car on credit when he needs it."

Mr Kennedy told the meeting that 50 driving instructors had taken the test, and only eight had passed.

When it was introduced in Leeds, he said, 60 per cent of drivers had failed.