TAXIS in Southampton will be running on double rates from 11pm on New Year’s Eve.

Members of the city’s taxi trade say the fares, which will last until 6am on New Year’s Day, are to compensate cabbies for having to work antisocial hours.

But they have also warned New Year’s Eve revellers not to pay more than the double-rate and get ripped off.

Taxis will operate time-and-a-half fares on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Perry McMillan, chairman of the Southampton cab section of the Unite union, said: “The only time people will be asked to pay double time is the most antisocial time over New Year’s Eve.”