COUNCIL bosses called for taxi drivers to remain patient last night after a cabbies' strike left late-night revellers stranded.

A large number of Hackney cab drivers withdrew their services from Darlington on Friday night, the latest development in a long-running dispute with the borough council.

Drivers said they were unhappy at their treatment at the hands of the local authority, particularly in respect to radical changes unfolding in the town centre.

The £6.5m pedestrian heart project has caused controversy since initial work started earlier this month.

Cabbies are protesting at what they say is a lack of taxi rank space.

Friday's strike began at about 10.30pm, leaving many people stuck in the town centre in the early hours of Saturday. Services returned to normal on Saturday night, but taxi drivers said they would discuss their next course of action.

However, a council spokeswoman said: "Everyone was given the chance to have their say on the pedestrian heart during the consultation and all views were taken into account.

"It's very early days for the project. We know there is going to be disruption, but we would ask everyone to bear with us."

Acting Inspector Gavin Musgrave, of Darlington police, said officers responded quickly to prevent the strike causing major problems.

"We went round all the pubs and clubs and got them to announce over the tannoy every hour that there was a shortage of taxis, and people should think about booking," he said.