TAXI fares in Wycombe are set to rise annually. Fares last went up two years ago, with the previous rise seven years before that.

Drivers of the district's 50 taxis have asked for fares to be reviewed every year, and on Tuesday Wycombe District Council's regulatory committee agreed to recommend they should go up in April and be reviewed every year.

Increases will be based on the average increase of two retail price indices, based on transport costs.

Drivers will also be able to charge passengers more when a taxi is standing still in traffic. At the moment, fares go up 10p for every minute a taxi is not moving. Taxi drivers asked for it to go to 20p a minute, but members thought 15p was fairer for passengers.

Meanwhile, a new, tougher test for would-be cab drivers in Wycombe is on the cards. It will include oral questions to test applicants' English.

The Driving Standards Agency test will cost £53 to take and applicants will have to pay the fee themselves. Existing licence holders may also have to take the test if complaints are upheld.

The council can refuse or remove licences, though people can appeal. In the last year, 20 licences have either been taken away or refused.