Arriving at Gloucester Green, Oxford, in the early hours, my wife and I struggled with our cases across the 'plaza' and joined the taxi rank.

It was somewhat rowdy and intimidating, but soon our turn came.

Two young men attempted to jump the queue, but the cabbie stood his ground and helpfully loaded our cases. He was then subjected to the most horrendous verbal abuse and one splattered the cab window with a takeaway container.

When we were safely under way, I asked the driver his thoughts on the matter, and was staggered at his reply: "It happens every night of the week".

If Mr P Williams (Oxford Mail, September 21), objects to paying £8.80 for a taxi, I can assure him that I would gladly pay double that to escape, in safety, the vomit-strewn, alcohol-fuelled area of George Street that becomes a war zone at night.

Oxford cabbies deserve every penny they earn for working in such antisocial conditions. Who of us goes to work and suffers such verbal and physical abuse?

As for Mr Williams's comment that Hackney licences that are issued free by the council are being sold for £70,000, it beggars belief.

Why pay £70,000 for a licence that is issued free?

Philip James, Cowley Road, Oxford