UBER have been granted the first stage of a taxi licence in Christchurch.

The controversial cab firm has been given an operating licence by Christchurch Borough Council.

It now needs to apply for a vehicle licence and drivers licence to be able to operate their private hire service in Christchurch.

It is understood the decision was taken under delegated powers and was not decided by the licensing committee.

A council spokesperson said they would expect the other two applications to be submitted shortly.

The American private hire service, which uses a GPS mapping and cashless payment system, was also issued a licence by Poole council to operate on its streets.

And earlier this year, the company was in talks with Bournemouth council.

As a concept, Uber has courted controversy, accused in some parts of the world of undercutting established taxi services with low prices and unlicensed drivers.