EAST Lothian taxi drivers are being accused of crossing the border into neighbouring Midlothian and stealing local work.

Furious representatives of the trade have written to Midlothian Council saying they are being forced out by taxis from neighbouring licensing board areas.

Midlothian taxi drivers are calling on the council's licesning officers and police to come together to stop operators from outside the county taking their fares.

appealing for help in a row over rogue operators taking their business.

Claims drivers who are licensed to operate in neighbouring East Lothian and Edinburgh areas are picking up passengers in Midlothian will be made to the council's Police and Fire and Rescue Board on Monday.

In a letter to go before the council's Police and Fire and Rescue Board on Monday, on behalf of Midlothian's Taxi and Private Hire Trade, councillors are warned local operators could be put out of business by the rogue traders.

It says: " it has become apparent over the past few months, that Midlothian has seen a massive increase in the out of authority vehicles continuing to operate outwith their boundaries and therefore impacting on the livelihoods of the Midlothian taxi and private hire owners and drivers.

"We would assume that Edinburgh and East Lothian licensing boards distribute the legislation just like Midlothian do and therefore the drivers have been made aware of the rules that must be adhered to.

"So in essence, they have been given the information and therefore are deliberately flaunting the rules."

The letter goes on to warn of dangers the public face from 'unlicensed' taxi drivers and the need to be proactive in ensuring all Midlothian cabs are licensed to operate in the county.

It says: "What will it take to happen before action is taken?

"An accident? Fraud? Or worse, a crime of a sexual  nature? Single women after a night out jumping into a vehicle that isn't licensed and who knows what may happen without any tracking mechanisms or recourse?

"The introduction of preventative measures, therefore being proactive instead of reactive is required."

In their appeal for support, taxi drivers express frustration that when drivers and operators who are crossing the local authority boundary lines are reported to Midlothian Council's licensing officers, they are told it is a police matter.

They say when they raise it with Police Scotland, they are told it is a licensing matter.

They say: "Strong enforcement must be enacted within Midlothian immediately and certainly, along with the proper agreements between each local authority and Police Scotland, to give our trade some respite.

"If the out of authority vehicles are allowed to ply their trade with no repercussions, then the impact on the hackney trade could be disastrous due to the Midlothian vehicles losing work constantly and therefore exiting the trade."

The letter also calls for a Taxi Examination Centre to be set up in Midlothian adding it would be supported by drivers in the county.