Hackney cab drivers will have to pay �2,400 to pick up airport fares

From 1 January, John Lennon Airport will charge Hackney Cab drivers �2,400 annually for the privilege of working out of the airport.

It claims other airports charge taxis and that they are just following suit.

But drivers are unhappy and on Friday they plan to protest by driving very slowly along roads around the airport.

'Greedy profiteering'

The Transport and General Workers' Union - which represents a lot of cab drivers - has accused the airport's owners of "greedy profiteering" and says the levy is a betrayal of the memory of John Lennon.

However, airport bosses say the taxi charge, which equates to a daily fee of �6.85, would be ploughed back into the airport and would include improving facilities for taxi drivers.

Included in the charge would be free training courses to teach drivers to become ambassadors for Liverpool ahead of it becoming Capital of Culture in 2008.

If Hackney Cab drivers decide not to pay the charge, the airport has said that it will look at using private hire operators.