TAXI driver Mick Kirlew has taken out some extra special insurance, courtesy of Rev Adrian Botwright.

He had his cab blessed this week to help keep his passengers safe on their travels.

Mr Kirlew has been a retained firefighter in Skipton for 14 years and said too often he had seen the aftermath of car accidents which firemen were attending more and more frequently.

He said he did not want the people in his taxi to become another statistic and therefore called on the help of Mr Botwright, the Rector at Skipton's Holy Trinity Church.

"You get insurance for when you have had an accident but I wanted that extra bit of insurance to prevent me having the accident," said Mr Kirlew.

He added that his mother had always had the house blessed and so he had got his belief from her.

Prayers were said for the taxi, the driver and the passengers and it was blessed with holy water.

Mr Botwright said protecting and saving people's lives must be in Mr Kirlew's blood as he had also been in the Mines Rescue Team for 10 years before turning his hand to the fire service.

Last year he received the firefighter of the year title for his dedication to the job.

One of the reasons he received the honour was because he collected all the tips from his taxi passengers for the Fire Service's Benevolent Fund.

Mr Botwright, who extended the blessing to all taxi drivers, said: "I was delighted when Mick asked me to bless his taxi.

"Taxi drivers know that they have our lives in their hands and how much of a responsibility that is, and they take it very seriously.

"Our taxi drivers in Skipton are a wonderful group of people, and this blessing was a way of affirming all that they do for us, and asking that God may indeed be with them and all who travel with them."

Mr Kirlew has been a taxi driver for 14 years and now works for Star Taxis in Skipton.

He has brought the first London Taxi International to the town, meaning he will always stand out in a crowd. The vehicle can carry six people and is wheelchair friendly.

Mr Kirlew has space on the side of his cab for advertisements, and anyone interested can contact him at Star Taxis.