A taxi driver who set up his own company after leaving a long-running firm is taking on more staff following the closure of his former employer.

Mike Simkins from Willesborough worked for Arrow Taxis for 13 years before going solo during the pandemic and starting Mike's Taxi.

On Sunday, the Cobbs Wood firm parked up its fleet of Mercedes after 41 years in business as it became "increasingly difficult" to recruit drivers.

After hearing the news, Mr Simkins contacted three of his former colleagues and has now expanded to have three wheelchair-accessible Peugeot Horizons on the road during the day and one at night.

With more vehicles on the road, Mr Simkins hopes to improve standards of taxi services in Ashford as demand for drivers has soared.

He said: "When I heard Arrow was closing, I've been so busy on my own, I thought it would be time to get another driver and a night driver on board.

"I chose them because they're good friends and they are very much like me in the way they look after customers.

"I was thinking about getting more cars but there was always the worry about not having anyone to drive them but I thought this was the perfect opportunity.

"I was full up 90% of the week anyway but now I have more availability."

Mr Simkins said one of the reasons firms are struggling to recruit drivers is because of how long it takes to get a licence.

He added: "It took two months for me to renew my licence and I've been doing this for 15 years, so you can imagine it's even longer for a new driver.

"People left through lockdown to work elsewhere and just haven't come back.

"I'd say to people, if you know where you're going in advance, try and ring as soon as you can.

"Try not to leave it to the last minute but that's not always easy."

One of the drivers Mr Simkins hired was Mike Freud from Kennington who drove for Arrow Taxis for 16 years.

The 52-year-old said: "I was wondering what I was going to do, whether I should buy my own car or change jobs totally.

"Then Mike rang up and it was a no-brainer when he said come and drive for him.

'I was full up 90% of the week anyway but now I have more availability...'

"It was a surprise Arrow closed so suddenly, but I wasn't surprised. I think Covid was an escalator for it."

As well as offering more frequent journeys, Mr Simkins hopes to improve the standards of taxi services in the town.

"Drivers have been refusing customers short journeys which is winding me up," he said.

"They do it all the time down the station.

"They're not allowed to do that. If they do that, get the reg and licence number and report them to the council because they can't refuse customers unless they're drunk or abusive."

Ashford Premier Taxi has also expanded by taking on former Arrow drivers.

Min Thapa has been running the business part-time for 10 months but recently joined forces with his brothers Khyam, Neyam and brother-in-law Jaya Pun to expand the company after hearing Arrow Taxis was closing.

Mike's Taxi can be contacted on 07500 705929