PLANS for an across-the-board rise in taxi fares in Evesham is being opposed - by taxi drivers in Droitwich Spa.

Councillors in Wychavon will now have to decide which group to support. A decision was expected this week but the formal objection from Droitwich has led to a delay.

Evesham cabbies want to see a 20p rise in the pick-up charge, increasing it to £2.40. But Paul Rudge of Blue Door taxis - who claims to represent up to 70 drivers and ancillary staff - wants to see a 40p rise with a corresponding increase in the distance charged from 1,400 metres to 1,900 metres.

Fred Camm from Goldstar Taxis and Trevor Jones of Trevor's Taxi Service are hoping the district council will increase the standard charge as they have requested.

Mr Camm said: "We haven't had an increase in the last four years so it's about time we did - especially with the cost of fuel constantly going up and the licensing fee alone costing us a fortune. The cost of running a car today is a lot more than four years ago."

Trevor Jones, 50, the owner of Trevor's taxi service, believes an increase would allow his business to survive.

He said: "At the moment taxi firms in Evesham are treading water - we're barely surviving with the high costs of fuel and licensing fee. An increase in the initial charge is needed and even then we would still be below the national average."

Mr Rudge spoke up for his own proposal. "This increase would be appropriate for our customers. Unlike Evesham taxi drivers we don't have all the traffic problems they do with getting into town."

Commercial services manager Debbie Herbert, from Wychavon District Council said: "We've recently advertised proposals following a request from the trade to increase maximum fares for the first time in three years.

"The proposals involve not only the initial charge for hiring a taxi but the rate charged for each 200 miles travelled.

"We're anxious that everyone involved in this debate is aware of the full detail of the proposals."