COUNTY Durham taxi drivers are going back to school to polish up their skills and get a qualification.

About 60 cabbies have booked up for a free course that looks at aspects of the job such as helping disabled passengers, customer care and health and safety legislation. The drivers that pass will get the Intermediate Certificate in Licence Education for Taxi and Private Hire.

And they could find another benefit as some insurance companies are offering lower premiums to holders of the certificate.

The course is part of a drive to encourage more people, particularly in rural parts of the county, to use taxis. The training is being offered during school holidays by the East and West Durham Rural Transport Partnerships.

Durham County Council's cabinet member for sustainability, Bob Pendlebury, said: "Taxis are a vital, flexible mode of transport in rural areas.''

"The county council has a number of flexible taxi bus and shared hire car initiatives and has plans for more.

"We're keen to support local employment and, by providing a high level of customer care, want to encourage the wider use of taxis alongside conventional public transport.

"This training is an excellent means of providing quality assurance for passengers.''

Around 60 drivers will take part in the three sessions, which are accredited by the Northern Council for Further Education and are funded by the county council and the Countryside Agency.

One of the courses will be held next year at Craghead Village Hall, near Stanley, on February 14 and 15.

Dan Alliband, East Durham Rural Transport Partnership officer, said: "This course is a step on the way towards getting an industry standard qualification as a taxi driver in the county.'