A TAXI firm owner has admitted it was a mistake to publish a leaflet claiming passengers were at risk in Worcester.

But Ash Mahmood maintained he still had concerns about the state of the city's taxis and had evidence to prove his fears.

Mr Mahmood, who runs Associated Taxis, was called before Worcester city councillors last night to explain his accusations. They ordered him to present his evidence by Monday morning or issue a formal apology.

At a meeting of the authority's licensing committee, Coun Simon Geraghty asked Mr Mahmood whether he accepted he had used the leaflet for advertising purposes and that it was unwise to publish it.

"With hindsight, it was a mistake - I apologise to you and in public," replied Mr Mahmood, who added that he was happy to offer his evidence to the council.

"We'll come and see you in private with what we have. It's not just something we have fabricated - we have something to say."

The meeting came after Mr Mahmood handed leaflets to students at University College Worcester in September that claimed there had been a "dramatic" rise in "bogus taxi drivers" attacking young girls.

The leaflet, which the council denounced as "misleading and dangerous", claimed that over-charging was rife, reports of assaults were on the increase, while promoting the service provided by Associated Taxis.

He admitted that he never lodged complaints with the council over allegations of over-charging or drivers using fake documents to secure a licence.

He maintained, however, that drivers from outside Worcester were operating taxis in the city.

The committee agreed that they would receive a report on Mr Mahmood's evidence by the end of next month.