BLACK cab operators are threatening an all-out strike in opposition to a mini-cab firm's plan to open a sub-office in nightclub.

Charles Oakes, chairman of the Bolton Hackney Association, is to ballot his members over industrial action after Rapid Private Hire was granted a licence to operate out of Ikon, in St George's Road.

A strike could cause chaos at closing time and leave pub and club goers having to find alternative ways of getting home.

It could see as many as 70 of the borough's 110 hackney carriages taken off the roads on specific nights.

A number of links have been forged between private hire firms and town centre bars in recent years - including Life Bar, J2 and Chicago Rock.

Under the rules, mini cab firms must be granted a licence from the council to open a sub-office in bars and clubs.

They must have a room on the premises and someone representing the firm must be present to take bookings. There must also be a waiting area for passengers.

But Mr Oakes claims the public are being put at risk by being made to wait on pavements after clubs have closed because mini-cab firms are unable to cope with the weight of demand.

He said: "This isn't just about a loss of trade for my members. We want to make sure the public are safe."

Asif Vali, owner of Rapid Private Hire in St George's Road and chairman of the Bolton Private Hire Association, said he was "saddened" by Mr Oakes's comments.

He said: "This scheme has worked very well over the last four years in getting people off the streets quickly and getting them home safely, especially vulnerable women."

Cllr Andy Morgan, deputy chairman of Bolton Council's licensing committee, said: "Mr Vali has been granted the licence on a three-month basis and we will see how things work out."