FLAGS are being flown on taxis in Wyre Forest as cabbies mount a "peaceful protest" against potential changes to the rules governing what cars they drive.

Vince Price of Wyre Forest Taxi Drivers' Association is predicting new proposals dictating licences will not be renewed for saloon vehicles when those currently in use pass their seven-year age limit will result in a shortage of taxis in the district.

He said: "We're not only having to contend with deregulation - now they're saying when saloon taxis reach their age limit they're not going to re-licence any more saloon vehicles.

"They have all got to be wheelchair accessible vehicles that can cost £20,000 to £30,000 which taxi drivers can ill afford."

He said four taxi drivers had quit their jobs in the past three months.

"It's getting quite serious now," he said. "Two have left the trade completely and this is just the start."

He said the flags would be attached to vehicles until tonight when the proposed conditions will be discussed at a meeting of Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet.

The district council's environmental health and licensing manager, Mark Kay, said, however, that the purpose-built or factory converted vehicles stipulated in the proposals, which are part of the deregulation plans, could be picked up for as little as £16,000.

He added taxi drivers whose vehicles were due to reach seven years of age within the next 12 months would be allowed to be replace them with saloons.

"This means saloon vehicles in the Hackney carriage field will not disappear for between seven and eight years," he said, adding they would continue to be allowed in the private hire sector.

He said purpose built - including second hand - or factory converted taxis were being insisted upon in the proposals because disabled people should not have to wait unduly for taxis.