A Shropshire private hire driver has been told his car is “not a suitable location” for a charity box collecting cash to help Britain’s wounded soldiers.

Telford & Wrekin Council has put a block on Rob Harper’s plans to raise money for Help for Heroes. The driver, who works for Central Taxis in Telford, approached council licensing bosses with the idea because he wanted to help those fighting at home and abroad against terrorism. But he said he was stunned when he was knocked back and claimed he was given no good reason why it would not be allowed.

Mr Harper said: “Most taxi fares come about 20p short of a pound anyway, so the idea was to give the customer the chance to put their change in a box for a worthy charity like Help for Heroes.

“We wouldn’t be bending people’s arms behind their backs to give money or hassling people, but I don’t see that many customers would have a problem anyway. To me it seems like a damn good idea for a damn good cause. But the council won’t allow it for no good reason.”

Telford Private Hire Drivers Association spokesman Mohammed Zaman said he could not see what was wrong with having a box in the car and called on the council to reverse its decision.

But Suzanne Fisher, licensing operations manager at the council, said: “Having a box of money in a taxi goes against everything taxi drivers are taught about keeping themselves, their money and their vehicle safe.

“The occupants of the taxi may have to be asked directly if they wanted to contribute so they may feel pressured in the space of the taxi. If the taxi driver wants to apply for a permit to collect for charity he can – the council does not want to discourage him from collecting for Help For Heroes – but he would have to collect in an open space.”