A NORTHWICH Hackney cab driver has been left upset after he was asked to remove a patriotic message from his vehicle.

Former serviceman John Woodward, of JJ’s Taxis, in Winnington, was contacted by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s licensing enforcement office after complaints about the wording on the side of his black Renault Trafic.

John explained that the writing, which reads ‘British by birth, English by the grace of God,’ was taken from a fleet of Welsh haulage vehicles and adapted to reflect his pride in his country.

But two complaints were made saying the sign was of a racist nature.

As John did not obtain permission to put the wording on his vehicle, he was asked to remove it and will now need to reapply to put the phrase back on his vehicle.

John said: “I have had this on my vehicle for about six months.

“It has never been my intention to cause any racial comment.

“I have a mixed client base and am not nor have never been racist in any way.

“They are only a statement of fact from a proud Englishman – we should be a proud nation, especially in times like these.

“I have served my Queen and country while in the Army and fighting in the Gulf War and am in fact very proud of my nationality and heritage.”

Ian Callister, senior media relations manager for CWAC, said: “I can confirm that the authority has received complaints from two different members of the public who felt that Mr Woodward’s sign was racist.

“The council has not made any decision on that allegation.

“It accepts that Mr Woodward did not intend any offence and that he regards his sign only as a reflection of pride in his own country.

“However, as a hackney cab driver he is not allowed to display a sign without applying for permission and was asked to take it down only on that basis.

“Mr Woodward has been told that he can appeal against this ruling.”