TAXI Marshals will be on hand during the festive period, making sure residents and visitors have a safe journey home from Sale and Altrincham.

The marshals, funded by the Safer Trafford Partnership, have been in operation in the run up to Christmas and New Year for the past eight years.

They will offer their safe and friendly service this year at Sale Metrolink and Sale Waterside Plaza ranks, and the main rank at Altrincham Bus Station on some of the busiest nights of the festive period: December 22, 23, 24 and 31 from 10.30pm until 3.30am.

The service began this year on December 15 and 16.

The taxi marshals help ease traffic congestion by helping to reduce queue jumping, and keeping nuisance behaviour under control.

Cllr Laura Evans, executive member for communities and partnerships, said: “We’re pleased to be able to help provide the marshalling again this year. In previous years the scheme has been well received by licensees, the police, taxi drivers and people using the facility to get home safely.”