TAXI drivers in north Durham have spoken out against police-backed proposals to toughen council regulations.

The secretary of Derwentside Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, Derek Hindson, opposed Derwentside District Council proposals to refuse licences to drivers with even minor motoring convictions.

He argued that the proposals could be against the new Human Rights Act.

New guidelines have been drawn up since magistrates forced the authority to hand back the licence of a Bridgehill man, who had been convicted of assault and speeding offences in June.

The proposals, due to be discussed by members of the council's cabinet committee on Tuesday, would mean that any persistent traffic offender may be refused a licence.

Other measures would mean that any driver with six penalty points on their licence would receive a written warning, and drivers with nine points would be called to a meeting of the licensing committee.

Any disqualified driver would have his licence immediately revoked, and any driver who has been refused a licence would not normally be allowed to apply again for six months.

In a letter to the council, Mr Hindson said association members opposed the changes. He said: "Our members feel the proposals are unduly harsh and that the current rules are quite sufficient for our trade.

"We would also argue that these proposals could contravene the new Human Rights Act, which will come into effect later this year.

"If you feel that Derwentside has a problem with convicted drivers I am sure that we could meet with you to discuss the issue."

The owner of Silver Service Taxis company, in Stanley, said taxi drivers were more likely to pick up minor convictions because they used the road more often than other drivers.

Chief Inspector Bob Glass, of Derwentside police, backed the new ideas. In a letter to the council he said: "I generally support the idea of being more robust.

"This will inevitably raise the standard of driving, not only while at work, but also privately, of our hackney/private hire community.

"I am particularly impressed that these guidelines will be addressing the issue of the persistent minor traffic offender."

Leader of the council Alex Watson stressed that cabinet members had not made any decision at this stage. He hoped the guidelines would be clarified to prevent a situation where magistrates would again overturn council decisions on individual cases