SUFFOLK taxi drivers today lashed out at the 'ladette' culture which turns young women into vicious drunken wrecks.Drivers who have served the Ipswich public for over a decade have witnessed boozing among females escalate on a worrying scale.

By Amanda Cresswell

SUFFOLK taxi drivers today lashed out at the 'ladette' culture which turns young women into vicious drunken wrecks.

Drivers who have served the Ipswich public for over a decade have witnessed boozing among females escalate on a worrying scale.

The news follows Monday's Evening Star investigation into the shocking trend. Rocketing statistics sparked fears for boozed up ladettes who are risk their health as they down enough alcohol to rival the lads.

Malcolm Ward, a taxi driver for 34 years, said: "If I see someone who looks as if they are about to be sick I don't pick them up. But I keep a bucket in my boot just in case."

He's had four people sick in his car in almost as many decades. Taxi drivers charge £50 if anyone is sick in a their cab but it keeps them off the road for two days.

Drunks try to get into vehicles clutching bottles of beer but when challenged they hurl abuse at the drivers.

"If there is one thing worse than a drunk man that's a drunk woman," said a 46-year-old who asked not to be named.

"You have women screaming and shouting, more so than men. They are also more liable to be sick.

"95 percent of people who use a cab are drunk but happy but it is that five percent which is the main concern. People are suffering for the sake of the minority.

"They can't go on insulting taxi drivers."

The first weekend after pay day draws in the worst drunks, but day times can be as bad on special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, bank holidays or World Cup time.

They fear young woman are putting themselves at risk of attack as they stagger the streets after a night out.

Another, who asked not to be named, said: "If I see a girl hailing a cab in the street I stop because I don't want to see them walking around the streets at night.

"There are far too many night clubs which compete against each other and don't check ages. There are kids around who must be aged about 14 or 15 years.

"Sometimes they try to get into the cab with a drink or smoking, you tell them not to and they hurl abuse, but it means the next person doesn't want to get in."