BURNLEY taxi drivers called off their strike action and went back to work this morning.

The deadlock over licensing issues was broken yesterday afternoon after talks between taxi operators, police and council officials and a working group formed to look into the problems.

Habib Ur-Rehman, chairman of Burnley Private Hire Association and Hackney Cabs, said: "I'm very pleased at the outcome of the meeting. The council has realised there are serious flaws in the system and I'm delighted the review has been announced.

"The taxi drivers will have an enhanced working environment and the public will have a better and safer service so this action was in everybody's interests."

The strike was called after councillors agreed to change testing and licensing of taxis from once to three times a year.

Councillors claimed the changes would reduce bureaucracy and allow drivers to book tests so they could choose a convenient time.

But drivers said the change has been introduced without proper consultation.

Coun Charles Bullas, deputy leader of the council and member of the executive committee who brought the changes, said: "We're delighted with the agreement and we are looking forward to moving on from here and sorting out some of the problems while the taxi drivers are at work."