TAXI drivers are well-known for their approachable personalities.

But a City of York Council scheme to help those with a degenerative condition has shone a positive light on their often vital role.

People living with dementia will now find it easier to travel around the city after the new scheme was launched to identify taxis with "dementia friendly" drivers.

The authority has worked with Dementia Forward - a registered charity which provides a fully integrated service to people living with dementia – to train drivers and staff at York’s Fleetways Taxis. All taxis who are driven by a recognised driver will display a dementia friends sticker.

Cllr Linsay Cunningham-Cross, cabinet member for Health and Community Engagement, City of York Council, said: "York’s work with partners to raise awareness of the condition has already received national recognition and initiatives like this with the dementia friendly taxis help to bring our goal of becoming a dementia friendly city ever closer."