A TAXI driver has warned people to be wary of getting into private hire cars without pre-booking, as he claims no insurance would be paid out in an accident.

Wayne Meiklejohn, who drives a black cab, said his 18-year-old daughter got into a private hire cab after a night out in Worcester without pre-booking.

The 40-year-old, who has been driving a hackney cab for around five months said his daughter did not realise she would not be covered by insurance if there was an accident in the vehicle.

Mr Meiklejohn claimed he had witnessed private hire cars touting for business when they parked in a car park by Worcester's Bamboo nightclub.

"My daughter got a cab outside Bamboo," said Mr Meiklejohn.

"She walked outside the club and they asked if she wanted a taxi.

""They asked her where she was going and off she went."

Mr Meiklejohn, from Ronkswood, Worcester, said private hire cars were only insured if the person booked up the taxi in advance.

"Black cabs are licensed and pay insurance premiums to pick up and drop off customers anywhere.

"We don't need pre-booking. We have a taxi light at the top saying For Hire - private hire have got nothing," he said.

Peter Taylor, chairman of the Private Hire Association, said it was black cabs that were in the wrong as they were pulling up outside the nightclub and using it as a taxi rank.

Mr Taylor said the accusation that other cabs were touting for business was false. "They have to be pre-booked," he said.

Roy Fidoe, head of Environmental Health for Worcester City Council, confirmed any trips in private hire vehicles had to be pre-booked.

"A private hire vehicle is not covered for insurance if you flag it down," he said.

"If a person is hurt in this situation, they possibly would not be covered by insurance."