Cheltenham Borough Council is offering grants to taxi and private hire drivers who need to install partition screens in line with coronavirus guidelines.

The council, which adopted a policy allowing the screens in July, will fund up to 50 per cent of the cost.

Councillor Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety, said: "As the number of cases rise, the authority is doing everything it can to play it part in fighting the spread of the virus.

"Taxis and private hire vehicles put drivers and passengers in close contact with each other.

"Partition screens are a way in which the spread of the virus can be reduced in such confined spaces."

He continued: "While some licensed drivers have already installed these screens in their vehicles, many have not done so yet.

"In order to incentivise more drivers, the council is making small grants available to help cover the cost of installing these screens that will give drivers physical protection against the virus in their workplace, provide protection for passengers, and more generally, give public confidence and assurance."