TAXI drivers working at Darlington railway station are demanding talks with company bosses in an effort to resolve a long-running dispute.

The station drivers are seeking negotiations with Taxibank UK, the firm which has the franchise from GNER, about what they claim are unreasonable demands over permit fees.

The latest payments were due on Monday, but more than 20 drivers are said to be withholding the money in an effort to force bosses to come to the table.

One driver, who asked not to be named, said discussions with solicitors were taking place to determine the way forward.

"We feel we are being forced into becoming part of Taxibank," he said.

"The money is in the bank but we don't want to pay until we have had negotiations with them. We have had no invoice to pay it anyway.

"We are there to provide GNER customers with a service. We want Taxibank to be rank managers and to collect the permit fees."

Taxibank managing director Quentin Curtis said a meeting between the company and station drivers was being scheduled for September 18.

But he said: "I have made it clear that if there are people who are withholding payments they will not be welcome to that table."

Mr Curtis said the drivers' requests for discussions with Taxibank had only come after the Monday deadline.

"I am sure that, as with all things, there are ringleaders, but the matter is now in the hands of our legal people," he said.