End of road for tuk-tuk?

A landlord's plan for a tuk-tuk taxi service between his pubs looks like it is on the road to nowhere. Paul Glover-Winfield needs a private hire licence to run it.

However, granting the licence would be contrary to council policy.

The landlord wants to operate the service between the Cock and Magpie, Severn Side North and the Hop Pole Inn, Cleobury Road in Bewdley.

But his application to Wyre Forest District Council is now likely to be turned down after licensing officers said they also had concerns about the safety of tuk-tuks.

Though, the officers did admit the vehicle, which is a popular form of transport in many parts of Thailand, India and South-East Asia, would be an additional tourist attraction for the town.

The final decision will be made by members of the council's licensing and environmental committee on Friday.

Mr Glover-Winfield, aged 40, decided to use the bright-y coloured vehicle, with red, blue and yellow livery, because of parking problems at The Hop Pole, which is run by his 25-year-old daughter Emma Passey.

Mr Glover-Winfield bought the tuk-tuk, which has an MOT and British log book, from a company in Spain and set up the free shuttle service in July.

But just three weeks later the council ordered him to take the unusual vehicle off the road telling him he needed to apply for a licence.