A Leicester taxi firm says it is having to keep cars off the road because checks by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) have not been done.

Swift taxis says it is waiting for checks on 21 drivers to come through from the government agency.

It means the firm cannot increase its fleet size until drivers are approved by the bureau, despite increased demand for cabs in the city.

Many pupils returning to school have been sent home after a backlog on checks on teachers by the agency was not cleared in time for the new term.

Long waits

While teachers are being prioritised by the agency, other checks are being held up.

Tracy Whitehead, of Swift taxis, said: "It is very serious here in Leicester.

"Obviously with new pubs and clubs opening up all the while, we cannot take on any extra drivers so we cannot meet the demand of the public.

"What we are afraid of is it will put drivers off becoming taxi drivers and they will go to other careers because it takes so long for their badge.

"Basically our city council did not register in time with the CRB."

Leicester City Council says it was not sent enough forms by the CRB in the first place and that has led to delays in drivers being checked.