TAXI fares in Wyre Forest are to rise by 30p per journey, but night owls and festive revellers will pay less.

The district council's licensing and environmental committee this week agreed the new charging policy submitted by the Wyre Forest Taxi Drivers' Association.

Councillors gave the thumbs up to the changes which will increase the standard charge from £1.70 to £2, but reduce the time-and-half tariff from £2.55 to £2.50 and double time from £3.40 to £3.

Association secretary and treasurer Bob South said the 30p increase was needed because of increasing operating costs, but taxi drivers were anxious that passengers travelling at other times should not face even bigger charges. If the increase had been applied across the board time-and-a-half would have gone up to £3 and double time would have risen to £4.

Councillors at Monday's committee meeting were told Wyre Forest taxi fares were the lowest in the county.

The new charges are due to come into force on November 1.