BLACK cab drivers vowed to stay on strike indefinitely in a row over the way new weekend 'taxi only' streets are run.

Despite meetings with police and council bosses about their concerns, around 60 drivers continued their dispute into a third day.

The drivers claim they are being penalised in two Blackburn town centre streets, which operate taxis-only systems in a bid to help people get late night revellers away home quickly.

Taxi marshals in Northgate and Darwen Street call in private hire cabs to drive people home, while black cabs have been told to continue using their established ranks.

But the black cab drivers claim private hire vehicles were using their rank in Northgate on Saturday.

A black cab driver was arrested for causing an obstruction after a confrontation, but was released without charge.

Maqsood Khan, from the Blackburn with Darwen Hackney Carriage Association, said: "We will remain on strike until the situation is resolved.

We want a fair deal so we all get a chance to pick up passengers on these streets at night.

"We pay extra for the right to pick up passengers from the street, and we're being penalised."

Taxi ranks in Blackburn and Darwen town centres were today empty. At Blackburn Railway Station, a number of private hire cabs arrived to pick up passengers.

Coun Frank Connor, executive member for citizens and consumer rights at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The scheme for Northgate is a pilot and follows on from the successful scheme that operates in Darwen Street. In light of the problems experienced on Northgate we will see if we can address any difficulties."

Town centre police officers said there had been some 'obstruction' of the Northgate scheme in the early hours of Sunday.

Shoppers in Blackburn town centre gave a cool response to the strike.

Those who suffered most yesterday were food shoppers laden with bags -- and because of the extra pressure on private hire vehicles it meant people faced delays of up to 20 minutes.

Sheena Hodge, 43 of Brecon Road, Blackburn, said: "It had been a pain. When I have my little girl with me I can't get her pram in the back of a normal taxi. It's not the best way to prove a point, upsetting customers."

Danielle Keighley, 21, of Bethesda Close, Blackburn, added: "It's a good job my child's not with me today. We'd have had a real problem getting everything in a normal car. We need black cabs."

Kathleen Bulcock, 67, of Norman Road, Oswald-twistle said: "We use private hire because they are cheaper. But it's been a problem."