A FREE course for taxi drivers is on offer in Dundee that will help them save fuel and protect the environment.

Cabs that clock up to 20,000 miles annually could be pumping out an average of half a tonne less carbon dioxide and saving almost £300 each a year on fuel, if drivers use the eco-driving techniques.

Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council's city development committee said: "When similar courses were run in Aberdeen and Perth drivers made significant savings in their fuel bills and in the amount of greenhouse gases their cars produced.

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"For the investment of less than an hour of their time, they cut costs and the air quality in both of these cities was significantly improved.

"It looks to me like a win-win scenario and I would urge as many drivers as possible to get in touch with us and register to take part in the eco driving courses."

A successful bid by the city council to the Scottish Government's Air Quality Fund coupled with support from Transport Scotland has brought the free courses to Dundee.

Each session with the instructor lasts 50 minutes during which driving techniques that are proven to save fuel will be demonstrated and then practised by eight drivers a day.

There will also be the opportunity for participants to compare the fuel efficiency in miles per gallon of an initial run with the same trip following instruction.

To encourage as many taxi operators as possible to take part the council will organise sessions where and when it is most convenient for participants.

(CD)