Taxi drivers drove in a slow procession through Bradford city centre in protest at a court ruling.

The Bradford Hackney Carriage Association staged the action as part of its demands to meet with Bradford Council's chief executive Tony Reeves.

The association made the decision to strike on Friday, and again today, after a crown court judge ruled that the Council's self-imposed restriction of 224 taxi licences was illegal.

The decision came in the case of Bharjis Qayum, who had been denied a disabled taxi licence.

The ruling by Judge Jonathan Durham Hall could lead to a steep rise in the number of new applications.

Association chairman C D Khalid said plans had been to have 200 taxis take part in the strike, but police ruled that only 30 cars should be allowed to take part.

The drivers set off in convoy from Midland Road in Manningham, down Hamm Strasse and along the Shipley Airedale Road before arriving at City Hall via Leeds Road.

Police vehicles led and brought up the rear of the procession, and officers directed traffic.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We have liaised with the Council and the Bradford Hackney Carriage Association to ensure that a peaceful protest takes place with minimum disruption to other road users."

The protest will end at City Hall and Mr Khalid is expected to have a meeting with Council bosses later today.

By Rebecca Wright