Revellers in Dartford can be sure to grab a ride home this New Year's Eve, thanks to the extension of a special taxi service.

Party-goers can pick up cabs from the town centre on December 31 and in the days following Christmas when Grabbacab extends its services over the festive period for the third year in a row.

The scheme, which concentrates private cars and hackney carriages around Market Street bus stands, will operate from 11.30pm until 3.30am on New Year's Day. It will also be in use from the same times on Boxing Day and Saturday, December 27.

Launched in October 2006, the service is used by more than 1,000 people on any given weekend, reducing queues and improving safety in the town.

Cllr Tony Martin, deputy leader of Dartford Borough Council, has spent the last two New Year's Eves on Grabbacab duty with council officers.

He said: "At the end of a great night out people just want to get home as quickly and easily as possible so the no-nonsense approach of Grabbacab is perfect. It has become the natural end to a night out in Dartford so I am pleased it will be running on New Year's Eve again."