A BAR is helping tackle the danger of bogus taxi drivers who could prey on young women.

Staff at the Blue Lounge, in Middlesbrough, are piloting a scheme called Female Friendly, which aims to ensure the safety of women leaving the bar.

The launch comes days after three unlicensed minibuses and a 'pirate' taxi were caught working in the town centre.

Under the bar's scheme, staff will call registered taxis for women customers, who will have access to a free phone, and doormen will then escort them to their cabs.

The bar's sales and marketing manager, James Watson, said: "We've seen a lot in the news about rogue taxi drivers, so we thought we'd use this scheme to make women feel safer."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "We are concerned about people getting into unlicensed taxis, especially when they have had large amounts of alcohol and may be unaware of the danger.

"In terms of women's safety, we would welcome a scheme that ensures women will not be left in the town centre late at night without a way of getting home."