A BOLTON-based taxi driver has won a Parliamentary award.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi nominated Mahmood Akhtar from Bolton Private Hire Association for an award at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taxi’s 2022 Private Hire and Taxi Driver awards.

Mr Akhtar won a Taxi Driver commendation award for his work and long history of representing taxi drivers and the wider trade in Bolton.

He has been especially supportive in cases of abuse and assault from passengers. He recently supported a taxi driver who was assaulted, as well as another who found him, and his car, attacked with rocks.

Speaking after the event, Miss Qureshi said: “Mahmood Akhtar has been a real source of strength within our community here in Bolton and I was more than pleased to nominate him for this award.

“It is good to see our taxi drivers gaining the recognition they deserve for the work that they do.”