A TAXI driver was left with a bloody nose in the latest attack on a Burnley cabbie.

The 34-year-old Asian man picked up three men from Rossendale Road at around 3.15am on Saturday, before stopping at Dalton Street to drop them off.

Sgt Phil Carter, from Burnley police, said: “The three men in the vehicle did not pay the fare and then they assaulted the taxi driver, punching him in the face.

“He was taken to Burnley hospital suffering with a bloody nose.”

The men, who are only described as white and wearing blue clothing, ran off towards Hillside.

Witnesses are asked to call Burnley police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The assault is merely the latest late-night attack on a Burnley cabbie.

Earlier this year, a taxi drivers leader called on judges, police and council chiefs to get tough to protect cabbies.

Mohammed Arif, chairman of the Burnley Private Taxi Association, said: “They should really send a clear message out there that any person caught assaulting or robbing a taxi driver should be punished severely.”