PRIVATE hire firms have been accused of turning their back on guide dog owners, despite efforts by Worcester City cabbies and councillors to stamp out discrimination.

The city council and its fleet of taxis were recently praised by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association for their longstanding loyalty to guide dog owners.

But director of the Worcestershire Association for the Blind Sandy Bannister said that private hire firms were still reluctant to let dogs into their vehicles.

"Yes, Worcester is much better than most places because council-run taxis are obliged to let guide dogs into their cars unless they have a valid medical reason," she said.

"But with private hire firms it is a different story.

"I have received many complaints from people who have tried to book a car but failed because they are accompanied by their dogs."

Mrs Bannister said a common problem was firms only agreeing to take guide dogs if there were black cabs available.

"I think drivers are afraid their cars will be messed up," she said.

But owner of Brookside and St John's Taxis, Pete Taylor said drivers never had a problem with taking guide dogs.

"We always pick them up and only ask that dogs sit on the floor," he said.

"There were disputes a few years ago with other firms but we have no problem with animals of any kind travelling in our cars."

Chief executive of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Geraldine Peacock said the attitude of some firms would have to change now the Disability Discrimination Act had come into force.

"It is a common complaint across the country that blind people are being left stranded because taxis are refusing them a lift," she said.

"However, I am very pleased that Worcester City Council has worked closely to make sure the problem didn't exist within its taxi fleet."