Now in its third year, the Taxi Driver of the Year event was held on Sunday, 30th March.

The event invites local taxi drivers to test their skills in a competitive tournament in four parts: obstacle course, vehicle presentation, knowledge test (i.e. of the road network), and, lastly, some questions on the local history of Brighton & Hove.

There are six prizes ranging from £1,500 to £350. The prizes will be awarded at a Dinner Dance at the Hilton Metropole Hotel on 7th April. Last year the event was won by Damien Norman of Brighton Streamline Taxis, and it also raised £3,500 for the Argus Charity Appeal.

Let's face it this is not an event that is likely to draw a large crowd, and indeed this year the competitors themselves were slow in coming forward! I was there for around an hour late morning and saw only two cabbies do the circuit: Fred and Jeff, both of Hove Streamline.

The contestants are given a time slot for when to arrive and take the test, and it seems that quite a few were caught out by the changing of the clocks this weekend. There were around 35 contestants - not quite as many as last year. Brighton & Hove has around 1,600 licenced cabbies, hackney and privare hire.

This is essentially a trade event at present, and there were a couple of trade stands present, the Peugeot dealer, Becks, and the London taxi manufacturer, LTI.

My conclusion, the Taxi Driver of the Year event is only in its third year. It's essentially a good idea with plenty of scope for more sponsorship, future development and spectator involvement.

Taxi Driver of the Year Photo Gallery 2008