CAMPAIGNERS pressing for a town centre taxi ban to be lifted say their fight is gaining momentum.

Eight thousand postcards have been distributed calling for Pier Avenue, in Clacton, to be re-opened to cabbies.

The cards say: "Taxis: wish they were here", and have been pre-addressed, ready to be sent to the county's top councillor for roads and transport.

They ask Norman Hume, Essex County Council's cabinet member for highways, to reverse a ban on taxis using the road.

Another 8,000 cards will now be printed and given to the public to post.

Taxis are not allowed to use Pier Avenue between 10am and 4pm, when only delivery vans and buses have access.

The ban was introduced in December as part of a revamp of Clacton town centre and has been a source of contention ever since.