TEN new taxi drivers will be "drawn out of a hat" in the first ballot held in Wyre Forest to plug unmet demand.

Would-be operators are invited to apply for hackney carriage licences, which will be allocated by the district council's licensing and environmental committee on Monday, July 18.

The ballot represents the first phase of deregulation, which is being promoted by the Government, and will take three years to complete.

Head of planning, health and environment, Mike Parker, said the deregulation was starting with 10 extra licences being allowed to cover an immediate unmet demand highlighted by consultants, Halcrow.

He stressed, however, that deregulation would not compromise standards and said that new operators would have to adhere to strict quality standards and their vehicles must have wheelchair access.

Application forms are available from the council offices at Duke House, Duke Place, Clensmore.