Another taxi firm in the north of the Island has said cabbies wouldn't abandon the area, if the trade was deregulated.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Patrick Ayres made it clear his firm wouldn't go looking for 'richer pickings' in the capital, a fear expressed by Ramsey commissioners, through member Leonard Singer.

Now, Dave Oldland of Lezayre Cabs is joining other northern firms in remaining loyal to the region, although he is against deregulation.

Mr Oldland says there's no fear of taxis being drawn towards Douglas, particularly as his firm has too many regulars in Ramsey to look after.

He says taxi drivers will not be 'milking' it on Douglas promenade each weekend, if the trade is deregulated, and the only benefit from working in the capital would be that they could pick up return trips to the north, as other taxi firms could out of their towns.

The issue has cropped up regularly at commissioners' meetings, although taxi drivers in Ramsey say Mr Singer has not spoken to them directly over claims the town would be left with no cabs at weekends.

The possible deregulation of the trade is currently the subject of a consultation exercise.