TAXI drivers in the city have been forced to use food banks as a "catastrophic" dip in customers reaches a record low.

Cab drivers across Brighton and Hove have had to suffer the "indignity" of using a food bank in order to keep food on the table for their family.

According to Brighton and Hove Taxi Trade Forum, a number of drivers are currently suffering from the virus, as the third national lockdown continues.

It comes after it was revealed that three taxi drivers in the city have died from Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

The association has now called for an urgent and "extraordinary" meeting with the Brighton and Hove City Council amid the decline in trade.

READ MORE >> Coronavirus: Three Brighton and Hove taxi drivers die

GMB representative Andrew Peters said: "This last year the local trade has faced a catastrophic downfall of customers and most of the licensed drivers and proprietors are only just able to hang on.

"Some may have taken advantage of finance holidays for vehicle loans but this was only for a limited period.

"Conversely, some have had to suffer the indignity of visiting a food bank in order to keep food on their table for their family.

"Along with the three main points as detailed that must be addressed, the state of the mental health and psychological welfare of the drivers and proprietors cannot be underestimated.

"It is vitally important to fully record the plight of the Brighton and Hove licensed drivers and proprietors so it is fully recognised by the council in their role as the licensing authority."

In the email addressed to the council, Mr Peters pleaded with the local authority to investigate the use of "out of city" private hire's operating in Brighton.

The vehicles, many of which from Lewes, predominantly work in the city where they can without the need to comply with the Brighton and Hove licensing conditions, he claimed.

The Argus: It comes after it was revealed that three taxi drivers in the city have died from Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemicIt comes after it was revealed that three taxi drivers in the city have died from Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic

As a result, it has created a "massive financial loss in trade" to locally licensed drivers.

He said: "Over the last three years the local trade has flooded with what we call ‘out of town’ private hire cars from Southampton, Portsmouth, Chichester, Havant but mostly from Lewes.

"It is considered that most of the 500 plus fleet of Lewes private hire cars predominantly work in Brighton and Hove where they operate without any direct control under Lewes District Council licensing and without the need to comply with the Brighton and Hove Blue Book of Licensing Conditions.

"The local taxi and private hire trade has had no choice but to act as observers with low morale whilst these vehicles operate in the city beyond the control of Brighton and Hove city council.

"Whilst fair and equal competition is always good this has not been the case and there has been a massive consequential financial loss in trade to the locally licensed drivers."