POLICE in Oldham warned today that taking a taxi could be as dangerous as drink-driving after an operation uncovered a huge number of defective cars.

More than 80 per cent of the 26 cabs stopped yesterday were suspended from the road immediately. Five cars were banned and one had to be towed away because it was unfit to be driven.

Pc Paul Searle, from Oldham's traffic unit, said: ''The results of the operation were disappointing and quite shocking. We are encouraging people to take taxis as part of our message about drinking and driving this Christmas, but on this evidence it isn't safe to do so.

''We would always advise anyone taking a taxi to check it briefly first and if they are not happy they should not get in. They should also report any concerns to us immediately because we will act.''

During the operation 26 cabs from 13 different taxi companies were stopped. More than 40 defects were spotted including 11 steering faults, four handbrake defects, eight defective tyres and nine lighting problems.

A number of drivers have now been reported for driving offences. Pc Searle said: ''It is clear that some of these companies are just not interested in maintaining their cars, they are just interested in lining their pockets.''