A TAXI rank was decorated with old photos and a walking frame to celebrate the 65th birthday of a popular cabbie.

Ralph Morgan, who turned 65, was not expecting the birthday surprise when he pulled into the rank, off Southernhay, in Basildon town centre.

He was greeted by his wife Angie, 46, ex-wife Pat, 70, children Paul, 39, Kerry, 36, Chelsie, 16, and Brogan, ten, and several taxi drivers.

He said: "They put up pictures of me from the 1970s, when I had a Mexican moustache, and gave me a walking frame as a reminder I'm getting on a bit."

Ralph, who has no plans to retire, added: "It was nice to see all those people had made an effort."