A TOWN with a thriving leisure scene like Bolton relies heavily on its taxi services.

A good night out for many people automatically includes being ferried around, often late at night.

So, a situation which threatens the public's access to taxis needs addressing, and urgently.

Bolton's black cab drivers are angry because they claim a small group of rogue private hire companies are poaching customers at various sites, plainly flouting established rules.

They say that Bolton Council, which licenses and monitors all local taxis, is ignoring requests for talks on the matter. Now, the Council has admitted failing to provide two promised "night watchers" to safeguard the black cab drivers.

The plans were apparently dropped last year because of "budget constraints."

Most of the town's 85 hackney carriage drivers are set to meet tomorrow night to discuss the situation. The drivers say that the possibility of strike action would be taken off the agenda if the drivers can meet the Council.

We suggest that the Council urgently looks at this matter,

and makes substantial and practical promises straight away.

The Council oversees the taxi drivers generally to help prevent exactly the kind of situation that is now threatening disruption.

If the original plan was to appoint the two "night watchers" then it is already acknowledged that there is a need for them.

Now, the Council must take a realistic approach to help diffuse a potentially explosive situation. Put safety first WE hope that people all around the borough have a happy and healthy Bonfire Night tonight.

Unfortunately, for many people, the "celebrations" appear to have been thoroughly stretched over the weekend, and long before.

As our news stories in this edition already show, fireworks can become the weapon of choice for the stupidly irresponsible.

But, for most people -- and especially for young children -- they represent a means of fun on this special day.

We would urge parents of youngsters of all ages to keep a special eye on their children tonight. For the young ones, to ensure that they enjoy November 5th safe from harm, and for the older ones, to prevent them damaging other people's property or quality of life.