'SERIOUS safety defects' on a taxi's brake lights and exhaust have led to a Bromsgrove cabbie's licence being suspended.

The discovery was made last Friday (October 18) when officers from Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) selected passing private hire vehicles and taxis for the inspections.

The vehicles were redirected to Bromsgrove District Council’s nominated testing stations for a safety check.

Of the 18 vehicles checked, one was identified as not being satisfactory and its licence was subsequently suspended on safety grounds.

The private hire vehicle's brake lights had insufficient illumination, while other issues included a broken suspension coil spring and an unsecured exhaust.

Bromsgrove District Councillor Helen Jones, who is chairman of the Licensing Committee and sits on the WRS Board, said: “We want the passengers in our district’s taxis and private hire vehicles to be confident that they are safe during their journey.

“I am delighted that all but one of these taxis and drivers, chosen at random, were compliant and that action is being taken to make sure that our residents and visitors will not be riding in an unsafe vehicle."