AN Oxford taxi firm which entered a national competition for the first time came away with two silver medals.

001 Taxis came second in both the environmental and marketing categories of the Professional Driver QSi Awards – the UK’s only awards for the private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry.

Editor of Professional Driver magazine, Mark Bursa, who was also one of the judges, said: “001 Taxis won its Environmental Silver QSi Award because it has been at the vanguard of introducing a cleaner fleet in its home city of Oxford.

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"It also carries out an extensive carbon offsetting programme.

"In marketing terms, 001 Taxis couples a scientific approach to building its online presence with great partnerships in and around its city, with universities, shopping centres, hotels and festivals. Innovation and creativity is central to its approach."

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The awards, open to every chauffeur and private hire company in the UK, are designed to recognise operators and individuals that demonstrate excellent standards of quality, service and innovation.

Professional Driver magazine is the only national publication for the UK’s chauffeur and private hire industry. It is published monthly and is given free to companies.

Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were presented in 10 categories at a 'thrilling' event, held at the Effingham Park Hotel, near Gatwick Airport.

The 10 categories mean there is something for every size and type of operator, from one-man bands to large fleets.

Categories also reward innovations in marketing, environmental performance and local community activities, while a special award – Professional Driver of the Year – singles out a chauffeur or private hire driver who is judged to be the best in the UK.

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Mark Bursa added: “The private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry provides a personal, on-demand service using safe, well-maintained and comfortable cars. The Professional Driver QSi Awards are designed to recognise Quality, Service and Innovation, and to bring the industry together for a night of celebration.”

“We were overwhelmed by the quality of the entries, and it was a very tough job to pick our winners. Only very good operators made the short list, so we can be sure our Gold, Silver and Bronze winners are among the very best operators in Britain.”