TAXI drivers have waged war over plans to extend private hire services in the centre of Nelson - amid claims that the trade is in crisis.

Dozens of cabbies descended on the town hall to debate two new bids for private hire operations in the heart of the town.

Plans had been lodged by Mohammed Khan, of A1 Taxis, to open a new office at the corner of Railway Street and Broadway.

Another application had been lodged by Fazal Ahmed to increase the number of cabs allowed to operate from a prospective base, in Manchester Road, which received planning permission last year, from four to seven.

Hackney carriage drivers insisted there were enough taxi operators in Nelson already, as existing cabbies struggled to make a living.

Mohammed Ilyas, chair-man of Pendle Hackney Carriage Association, said: "We do not need any more taxi bases in the town centre."

The Railway Street bid, which also included a takeaway and cafe, would be open around the clock and sited close to Nelson's new rail and bus interchange.

Private hire drivers say they are providing a vital public service for commuters arriving in Nelson who need transport.

Applicant Mr Khan said his business had been based in the town centre for a number of years and it was vital for a private hire office to be centrally located.

He said: "We will be putting a new shop front in and providing a nice cafe and takeaway for people to use. This will make people feel safe when they come out of the railway station."

Councillors were concerned that the designated car parking spaces for the Railway Street venture were located on the top floor of the adjacent multi-storey car park.

An agreement would need to be signed with the car park's owners before the cabs could have 24-hour access to the spaces there.

Coun Sheila Wickes said 24-hour access to the car park was shut off some years ago due to problems with anti-social behaviour, including car racing and suspected drug dealing.

"We did have a lot of problems and to reopen the building would run the risk of these problems coming back," she said.

Members of the Nelson area committee voted to refuse the Railway Street plans on the grounds of highway safety and car parking.

The proposals for three extra cabs at another office in Manchester Road were deferred by councillors for further negotiations betw-een the applicant and council officers.

Councillors and officers disagreed over whether three cars could be parked behind 92 Manchester Road, without the vehicles overhanging onto the public highway.