A TOWN'S taxi drivers are being given an ultimatum - to get wheelchair-friendly or face new competition.

Borough councillors in Middlesbrough are expected to give the community's cab operators the option of converting a number of their cars to take wheelchairs, or see the district council issue 20 new licences to people prepared to buy custom- built wheelchair accessible taxis. The move is recommended in a report from Councillor Steve Cass.

Councillor Ken Hall, the council's commissioner for the environment, said: "I have always maintained that the taxi trade is a vital and integral part of the public transport network. As such, it is essential that it provides for all, not just the able majority, but also the disabled minority."

Joe Durkin, secretary of the Middlesbrough Hackney Carriage Association, is calling on the council to be reasonable in the time limit it sets members to convert 20 vehicles from its fleet of 190.

He said: "We are in sympathy with the council's need for wheelchair accessible vehicles, just so long as they know it can't be done overnight.

"If they are going to give us the opportunity to convert, people must be given a reasonable period of time. It is on a voluntary basis.''

Mr Durkin said he was "disappointed" the association had not been fully involved in the drawing up of the report.

He said: "We were invited to one working party meeting, but we did not go to every working party session.

"We have heard rumours but nothing in black and white.''

Council officials are recommending that taxi owners are given three months, to June, to convert saloon taxis or buy in new purpose-built London-type taxis which can take an unfolded wheelchair.

Middlesbrough General Hospital opened a regional spinal injuries unit on Thursday, which will be switched later this year to South Cleveland Hospital.

Health authorities have told Middlesbrough Borough Council the new status will mean more disabled people needing taxis.