Tuk-tuks, the phenomenally successful taxi system in the Far East, have been granted licences to operate in Blackpool . The motorised rickshaws, common in many foreign countries, are facing stiff opposition from Taxiwise, a paid fare vehicle campaign group.

Taxiwise believe that the tuk-tuks will not be as safe as cars . Celeste Clarke, the national spokesperson for Taxiwise, reportedly commented: You have to ask, where does the novelty value end and safety concerns start? These tuk-tuks might be different but are they really safe enough to be carrying paying passengers? We want to see safety standards maintained across the whole of the UK as well as rules on the type of vehicle that can be used as a taxi so people can immediately identify a genuine cab from one that is not.

The tuk-tuks licensed for use in Blackpool need to be booked in advance, and only 20 have been granted permission to operate. Clarke reportedly concluded: Councils should look closely at their duty of care to passengers before licensing these vehicles, whether as a Hackney carriage or for private hire .