Brit cabbie banned over poor grammar

London, June 1 : Grammar is certainly not the first thing on the list of qualities you look for in a taxi driver. But a British cabbie has been banned from getting behind the wheel - because he doesn't know how to use an apostrophe.

Bournemouth Council chiefs have barred Laurence Kirk from working just because his grammar is poor.

The 50-year-old dad of two had applied for a private hire license but failed the grammar exam he had to take before applying.

He was quizzed about apostrophes in a story on Football. Only 60 per cent of his questions were correct when passing was 70.

"When I got my licence six years ago I filled in some forms, had a medical and a driving test to prove I knew the area and they passed me," The Sun quoted Kirk, as saying.

He dubbed the new rules of Bournemouth Council, in Dorset, as "barmy".

"No one has asked me if I know Bournemouth or what I would do if approached by a drunk person - just where to put an apostrophe," he added.

Council licensing chief Steve Wright defended the test, saying it "allows us to assess candidates' abilities".

Kirk, from Poole has to go on a GCSE English course before he can reapply.

ANI