WHERE to guv'nor? A market town’s first London cab has entered service, making its first pick-up at a beloved boozer.

A London cab is now prowling the roads of Ringwood after a cabbie spotted the vehicle for sale and decided to run the service alongside his gardening work.

Billy Bristow bought the branded taxi to start his new service called Ringo. He has driven for other cab firms but when he spotted the vehicle for sale, he snapped it up.

He said: “I know there is lots of taxi work in and around Ringwood, especially at certain times of the week.

“So when I saw the ex-London cab for sale I bought it with the intention of offering a new, reliable local service.

“Now it is all licensed and operational – and the first pick-up I made was at the always-busy London Tavern, which seemed fitting.

“I am licensed to seat five and passengers need not worry – I won’t be giving a running commentary on the sights of Ringwood as I drive around.”

Billy made his first pick-up in the London cab at the appropriately named London Tavern pub in Poulner.

Bournemouth Echo: Phil Hoyle, left, landlord of The London Tavern, and Billy Bristow, Ringwood’s first London-style cabbiePhil Hoyle, left, landlord of The London Tavern, and Billy Bristow, Ringwood’s first London-style cabbie

The Tavern’s landlord, Phil Hoyle, said: “We do really need more taxis, as some of my regulars have to call Bournemouth firms.

“To have a London cab in the neighbourhood is great fun and I like to think of it as an advert for the pub.”

Ring 07387777202 to get your London taxicab experience in Ringwood.