A black cab driver has received an award from the Prime Minister for creating a new taxi-hailing app with his late wife.

Micky Harris said his partner Barbara was “the driving force” behind Unify London Taxis, which was created so drivers or customers weren’t exploited.

Mr Harris, who lives in Istead Rise, near Gravesend, released the app after his wife died at a castle in St Ives, Cornwall, in July last year, after a battle with breast cancer.

He said: “She fought and fought until the very end. The ellenor Hospice supported us and they were brilliant.

“She was just an ordinary woman, she was a lovely lady and had a big, loud laugh and could just light up any room. She was just an amazing woman.”

While studying for the knowledge, the process taxi drivers in the capital undergo to learn the capital's streets, Micky learnt of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and became a volunteer.

With Barbara, the pair helped take veterans to events across the country and abroad and started to talk about how the taxi industry could also help other charities while not charging drivers or customers to book a ride.

Together they came up with the idea for Unify.

Micky, who was formally a secondary school teacher, explained the app is free for drivers to use and they get the full fare paid while the customer only pays for what is on the meter and an additional £2 booking fee, which is donated to charity,

The grandfather-of-10 added: “This app is her legacy. We set out to do the right thing and it ended up being an extraordinary thing.

“It was all her. Whenever I see our logo on a taxi, my heart skips a beat even though she is not with me.”

Earlier this month, he received the daily Points of Light award, which recognises the outstanding work of volunteers, for his efforts by Rishi Sunak.

Micky said: “It really is such an honour to receive the award from the Prime Minister’s office. I work tirelessly day and night trying to do the right thing in an environment dominated by companies driven by profit.

“If this award can help bring awareness to others that if they try, it is possible to make a difference and with dedication and hard work, hopefully realise their dreams to make their community a better place for all.

“What we need now is for every cab driver to sign up to the Unify app, it does not cost drivers anything to be part of this and by working together, we can all achieve so much more in life.

“I truly believe that we are all stronger together and the Unify London App will give us the unity we need to succeed.”

Unify was launched in April and 2,000 taxi drivers have already signed up.