council chiefs have stopped a taxi driver from wearing a Santa Claus beard for a festive promotion - because he no longer looks like the picture on his ID badge.

Ernie Willey thought it was a bit of fun to slip on a beard and Santa hat for his festive gesture of good will.

When he arrived to pick up a customer in Darlington, he would give them some Christmas cheer with his decorated car and a free journey anywhere in the town. But after a complaint to Darlington Borough Council, Ernie's employers, 1AB taxis, were told to take down the decorations and remove Santa's beard.

They feared anybody could hide behind the beard and pretend to be a legitimate taxi driver, while the decorations would distract other road users and impair the 39-year-old driver's own vision.

"To some it up in two words, 'Bah humbug'," said Ernie, from Bishop Auckland, who has dressed up for the past two years at Christmas.

In an act of defiance, Ernie is having a photograph taken in his Santa beard and is hoping for a licence.

A spokesman for Darlington council said it would not be possible to give a badge with such a picture.

He said: "It could be anybody in disguise and it's not proof of identity."