TAXI drivers have been accused of being disrespectful to Worcester City Council by ignoring requests to pick up official guidebooks.

Licensing bosses at the Tory-led council have summoned 93 drivers without the books to appear at the Guildhall to explain themselves.

A total of 171 drivers have picked up the books in the last three weeks, but a hard core minority of drivers are still driving around Worcester streets without one.

Former Mayor Councillor Ian Imray, chairman of licensing, said: "A large number of individuals still haven't got it, when we've written to them twice, and it's made headlines in the local press.

"The publicity has been immense and we've messed around with this for a long time. These people need it in order to do their jobs properly.

"Every driver without the book will come before a sub-committee to explain why they haven't got the book and why they should be allowed to keep their licence."

Coun Gareth Jones said: "We have bent over backwards for these people and they are showing disrespect to this committee."

All drivers without books will be given a date to appear before a sub-committee, but the council will make it clear that if the books are collected before that date, they will not have to show their face.

If drivers do end up appearing at the Guildhall, the council will make sure the costs are reflected in the licence fees for next year.

Despite the furore, Coun Imray said he was very happy with the majority who had responded to the plea made three weeks ago to collect the guidebooks.

A total of 279 drivers have now picked up their copy of the guidebook - a big improvement on the figure in early June, when only 108 cabbies had taken them.

The Taxi Drivers Association said that drivers did not collect their books at first because there were typing errors in the first version, which has now been altered.

Each one contains details on rules and conditions of the licence, as well as important safety and bylaw information.

Anne Murphy, secretary of Worcester Taxi Drivers' Association, said: "We are still giving advice telling people to pick a book up.

"It's good news that the majority has done."