MORE than 100 Bournemouth taxi drivers could lose their jobs because they have not passed a college course in transporting passengers.

Three years ago, taxi and private hire drivers were told they had to gain a relevant BTEC/NVQ qualification by February 28, 2008.

But with that deadline now passed, 330 of the town's 693 drivers have yet to fulfil this requirement.

Councillors could decide to suspend the licence of every single one of these "unqualified" drivers, but instead they are being recommended to grant an extension for all those who are booked on to the course.

This would still leave 101 drivers unable to operate but Ashley Miller, chairman of Bournemouth Taxi and Private Hire Joint Committee, had little sympathy.

He said: "Those of us who have complied with the council requirement have had to take time off and sit in a college while other drivers have been out on the roads earning money.

"Why should the majority of drivers be penalised for something that the other guys could have done?"

He acknowledged the decision to make the qualification compulsory for all drivers was controversial and had caused a lot of bad feeling between the council and the trade.

"But even accepting that, the course is free and you can always learn something new," he said.

"I agree with extending the deadline for those booked on the course but those who have simply stuck two fingers up to the council could find themselves with no job."

Any driver who has their licence suspended would have the right to appeal through the magistrates courts, which could prove costly for the council.