Gatwick Airport bosses today announced plans to crack down on taxi touts who trick passengers into paying several times the normal fare.

They have joined forces with Gatwick police and authorised taxi operators to launch a campaign warning visitors about the risks of using unauthorised cabs.

One passenger was recently charged £50 by a tout for a journey to a local hotel which would normally cost £15, an airport spokeswoman revealed.

A family from Spain were charged £80 for a trip to Burgess Hill. The fare is normally around £20.

Unauthorised vehicles may also be uninsured or without an MOT.

The crackdown was launched as a result of the increasing number of drivers working illegally at the airport.

It is estimated that up to a third of the 800 taxi journeys made every day from Gatwick are taken by taxi touts.

Notices are being placed in the airport advising travellers to use one of two authorised taxi companies, Excellent Connections in the North Terminal and Checker Cars in the South Terminal.

The spokeswoman said: "This guarantees a ride in a well maintained and safe car fitted with air conditioning, ABS braking systems and passenger air bags."

Both taxi companies are investing in computer tracking systems which give the controller the exact locations of the vehicles and distances travelled.

BAA Gatwick retail director Danny Slonan said: "We are committed to providing passengers with high quality services and facilities and we want to ensure that anyone travelling by taxi from Gatwick does so in comfort, safety and at a price that represents value for money."

Over the next few weeks, airport staff will hand out letters to suspected touts warning they are illegally soliciting passengers.

Touts who ignore the warnings could be banned from the airport and face criminal charges.