A taxi driver has slammed Uber saying that the ride-hailing service’s takeover of the city has been “ridiculous”.

Paul Murray, 61, said he had been a taxi driver for 25 years and was one of the first people to pass the knowledge test which involves memorising streets in Brighton.

Now, Mr Murray has called for a clampdown on Uber in the city and for more to be done to protect traditional cabbies.

He said: “I was one of the first people to pass the test. When I walked out of the town hall with my head held high I really thought I had achieved something.

“Now, all they are doing is picking up all night and no one is doing anything.

“At the end of the day, it’s not right and people have lost their livelihoods to this. It’s become ridiculous and something has got to give.”

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Currently taxi drivers in Brighton and Hove are licensed by the council and drive hackney carriages painted in white and turquoise.

However, unlike licensed taxis, Uber drivers are not required to carry a meter and do not need to be licensed by Brighton and Hove City Council.

Paul is calling for more of a clampdown on the Uber drivers including charging a fee for unlicensed drivers to pick up in the city.

Uber arrived in Brighton in 2016 and has proved popular in the city after extending the app’s national coverage.

Hackney Carriages have to charge a set tariff but Uber prices vary depending on how busy the service is.

Brighton and Hove City Council and Uber were approached for comment.