KILLJOY council officials have banned cabbies from flying flags on their cars in Fareham.

Taxi drivers wanting to show their patriotism for the Queen's Golden Jubilee weekend and the World Cup have been told to ditch anything resembling a flag or St George Cross from their windows and roofs.

Any driver found flouting the council has been warned they could face a four-point penalty on their hackney taxi licence.

Borough bosses claim they are only following a by-law that says cabbies need prior approval before putting anything on their vehicles. They have pledged to meet drivers later today to discuss the issue.

Taxi drivers are outraged at the heavy-handed rule and say they will protest to defend their patriotic right.

Steve Buddle, 42, of Birchmore Close, Bridgemary, has been driving taxis for 14 years in Fareham.

He said: "I just think it is totally over the top and ridiculous. I am English and I am proud of it.

"It is utterly stupid not to be allowed to fly an English flag especially in the jubilee year and now that the World Cup is starting.

"These are our own cars not the council's so I don't see why we cant put flags on them."

Fareham council's executive leader Sean Woodward said: "The by-law says any advertising or anything that is put on a taxi must have the prior approval of the council.

"It isn't about specifically having flags on the car but simply about protecting the safety of people who use the taxis and checking nothing is put on the car that could affect that.

"I understand that a meeting is planned for this morning between our chief licensing officer and a driver to sort out the problem."

Mr Buddle said the clampdown began this week with a council licensing officer warning drivers to take down the flags as they were not authorised advertising by the council.

The rule applies to more than 200 Hackney licence plate holders in the borough.

A contingent of the outraged taxi drivers is now mounting a protest against the rule by adorning their cabs with as much patriotic paraphernalia as possible.

Mr Buddle said: "We are going to go for it now, I have already dug out my England scarf and flag and can't wait to put them on the cab."