Council bosses have been branded Christmas killjoys by a driver ordered to remove his Christmas decorations from his cab.

Remove them - cabbie Peter Rose takes the decorations out of his car on council orders. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL 5GGYB5

Peter Rose, of Fairview Road, Basildon thought he would get in the festive spirit and please customers by brightening his cab with some small decorations.

He had placed two small ornaments, a tiny Christmas tree, some spray on snow and some tinsel on the dashboard of his Mondeo.

However Peter said the council deemed this unsafe and the car was taken off the road until the decorations were removed.

Peter said: "They told me to remove all of the decorations as they were unsafe but they did not block my view and they were all stuck down.

"I just wanted to get in the Christmas spirit and everyone who has come into my cab have commented on the decorations and said how nice they were."

Self-employed Peter has now removed the items, which also included a handmade knitted Father Christmas, but feels it has all been blown out of proportion.

"I do not know why they are being like it. I work 12 hour days and you can't even have some light-hearted fun."

Basildon Council was unavailable for comment.

Published Tuesday December 18, 2001