A TAXI driver has started his own firm.

Barrow driver George Harkin has launched Furness Taxis, transporting passengers on essential journeys.

Mr Harkin said he wanted to help out during the coronavirus after a number of taxi firms stopped operating shortly after lockdown measures were first introduced.

He has been driving taxis in Barrow for seven years and said now the trade was entering 'strange and difficult times'.

He said he had taken to delivering food during the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Harkin said: "I fell in love with the taxi game straight away and I have decided to set up Furness taxis to offer essential journeys to people who need to get to work and back home again and to offer any essential shopping trips to customers while being a responsible service in these difficult times.

"Also I'm Trying to get other taxi drivers involved to help them to get a bit of work then see the business grow as we come out the other side of this period in time.

"I believe we have a gap in the market for a new taxi service in Barrow and the local area, we are in strange and difficult times, and the taxi work dried up.

"I had a plan to get past the peak I went into isolation a week before the Government closed the country down because of this virus but still had the feeling I needed to help people, so I was able to start helping at Morrisons delivering food to people.

He said he had already recruited a number of licensed drivers and was looking for more.

Mr Harkin said the firm is open to help key workers get to and from work and help shoppers with essential trips to the supermarket.

A maximum of two passengers will be allowed per taxi and they must sit in the back seat.

All taxi vehicles are sanitized at the end of each journey to maintain a safe clean environment for our customers, Mr Harkin said.

As the virus began to spread, Mr Harkin said he and other drivers wanted to 'help save lives' by volunteering. Furness Taxis can be contacted on 01229 445555.