THE threat of a taxi strike over the Christmas period has been averted after council bosses agreed to consider drivers' demands for an end to the council monopoly on vehicles testing.

Many hackney and private hire drivers in Bolton had threatened to take their cars off the road following the row.

They want the council to put out to tender the testing of vehicles to private firms claiming the council's own testing station at Wellington Yard is "over zealous and inconsistent" and that waiting times are excessively long.

The strike was averted after council bosses set up a new sub-committee to consider allowing private firms to perform the role. The committee will report its findings in March.

Sajid Khan, chairman of the Private Hire Association, said he was delighted with the move.

He added: "It is great news that we will be able to provide a full and uninterrupted service through the Christmas period.

"We did not want to go on strike but we were prepared to do so because of the strength of feeling among our members."

Bill Williams, chairman of the larger Bolton Taxi Drivers Association, had condemned the strike threat claiming that most drivers did not support industrial action.

Cllr Andy Morgan, chairman of the Hackney and Private Hire Consultative Panel, said: "We welcome their decision and look forward to working with them in the future in the interests of the people of Bolton."