A ROSSENDALE taxi driver who has been caught speeding seven times in 10 years has had his licence revoked by council bosses.

Brian Whitworth, 59, of Barnes Street, Clayton-le-Moors, racked up 12 points on his DVLA licence for speeding offences but failed to declare the convictions to Rossendale Council as required.

Rossendale Council’s licensing committee decided to revoke his taxi licence back in April as the committee felt that he was not a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a taxi badge in Rossendale.

Mr Whitworth appealed the decision and the case was heard at Reedley Magistrates Court.

The court dismissed the appeal and upheld the council’s original decision.

Coun Christine Gill, chairman of the licensing committee, said: “There is no excuse for being caught persistently speeding and putting the lives of taxi passengers and other road users in danger.

“He clearly did not learn his lesson when caught for the first offences and continued to drive too fast.

“Mr Whitworth knew the rules and knew that he was at risk of losing his taxi badge if he was caught speeding persistently.

“The overriding consideration for the licensing committee is to protect people from harm.”