PEOPLE were today reassured about using town centre taxis in the run up to Christmas after a driver who raped an 18-year-old girl was jailed for six years.

Arshad Mahmood, 31, of Grey Street, Burnley, worked for Hotline Taxis in Cow Lane, Burnley, when he carried out the assault in January.

Burnley Crown Court heard Mahmood raped the teenager after she got into his cab after a works Christmas "do".

The victim was so traumatised by the assault she attempted to take her own life and is still finding it difficult to come to terms with the attack. Staff at Hotline Taxis today said the incident was a one-off and moved to reassure people about using the firm.

The company's base is close to the heart of Burnley's nightlife and is one of the busiest night-time taxi firms in the town.

A spokesman for the company said: "I have never, ever had any hassle with any of the drivers I have worked with here. Our drivers have to go through police checks before they are granted a licence."

A number of drivers are now signing up to get CCTV cameras installed in their vehicles.

Money has been made available to Burnley Borough Council from the Home Office which will allow cameras to be fitted.

The move is designed to give added protection to customers and drivers.

Councillor Charles Bullas, the council's executive member for public protection and community safety, said: "We have got funding to towards the cost of installing CCTV cameras in our taxis.

"We provide towards the cost along with the taxi owners. We have got 23 of our 32 hackney carriages interested in the idea and we have the fund to potentially fit cameras in a total of 63 vehicles."