Taxis are to be allowed back into the heart of Birmingham's entertainment district.

Birmingham City Council had introduced a controversial buses-only policy in Broad Street on Friday and Saturday nights.

But councillors have now agreed to let cabs pick up fares in the street which is full of thousands of clubbers at weekends.

The ban was introduced before Christmas, and sparked uproar among taxi drivers who threatened a city-wide strike.

We are back in Broad Street and I hope we stay there this time Pat Murtagh

But at a meeting on Friday, councillors confirmed that taxis would be given access for a trial period.

Pat Murtagh, from Birmingham's Private Hire Association, was delighted with the decision.

"We are having another meeting to fine tune the set-up, but starting on Valentine's night, appropriately, we are back in Broad Street and I hope we stay there this time," he said.

"It is through public demand and we will do our best to provide a good service for them."

Councillor Stewart Stacey, cabinet member for transportation, denied that the council had made a u-turn on their original decision.