Drivers left their taxis for the night as they got scrubbed up for the Taxi Driver of the Year awards.

Popular taxi driver and councillor Neil Parkin, also leader of Adur District Council, scooped the top prize of £1,500 when he beat the competition in a slalom course time trial in Madeira Drive, Brighton, on Sunday.

He was rewarded at the dinner dance at the Hilton Metropole in Kings Road, Brighton, last night.

A total of six drivers out of around 25 entering won cash prizes ranging from £1,500 to £350 for their speed in completing the slalom course - made up of barriers and traffic cones with two mock garages and a parking bay set up by the seafront arches.

All competitors came from Citicabs (205205), Brighton and Hove Radio Cabs (204060) and Streamline (202020).

The cabbies were driving against the clock, with time penalties for knocking down traffic cones or touching the garages.

Money from Taxi Driver of the Year comes from fundraising events and sponsors Westminster Taxi Insurance, Smith and Humphrey, who deal in London taxis, and the Becks of Brighton Peugeot dealership.

Earlier in the day Michael Beard, Editor of The Argus, picked up a cheque for £1,000 on behalf of The Argus Appeal, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The cheque was from Brighton and Hove Streamline Taxis Ltd (747474).