Thousands of taxi drivers have staged a protest in London against a lack of regulation including of mobile applications in the industry.

They claim that their trade is being affected by illegal and unlicensed minicabs.

The apps work in a similar manner to a taxi meter, which are only permitted by London’s black cabs.

“We’re fed up with the establishment just overlooking us all the time. They’re licensing things left, right and centre and they’re not worried about what we’re doing. Our costs are going up all the time, and they’re licensing pedicabs. They’re not worried about Uber, anyone with a bit of money they just let them in and do whatever they want,” said one London cab driver.

A wave of new apps allow users to order a taxi from their mobile devices, often at a more competitive rate.

London is one of several European cities, among them Paris, Madrid and Berlin, to have witnessed protests by licensed taxi drivers this year.