A taxi driver was robbed of his takings by a trio of thugs in the latest attack on a Burnley cabbie.

The 52-year-old was picking up a fare in Scarlett Street, off Coalclough Lane, at around 3am on Saturday when he was set upon by three men.

One then stole £60 from the driver's takings in the taxi before the three men made off.

Detectives spent the weekend attempting to get a fuller picture of what happened and interviews have been conducted through an interpreter as the taxi driver’s English is poor.

Police have also appealed to witnesses who may have seen the attack on the cabbie, who today returned to work.

Det Con Andy Maden, from Burnley CID, said: “We know that there were three men involved in the robbery and that there was contact made between one of them and the victim, although no injuries were sustained.

“At some stage the takings from the cab were taken, presumably by the other two.

“However, we don’t believe the call for the taxi to the area was connected to these offenders. We think they were opportunists.”

One of the offenders is described as being white, around 5ft 6ins, aged 21 to 22 and slim. He was wearing a dark-coloured hooded jacket.

The incident is the latest in a spate of attacks on taxi drivers in Burnley and Pendle.

Last month, a cabbie was left with a bloody nose after he was assaulted by three men in Rossendale Road, Burnley.

And in October, four knife-wielding men attacked a taxi driver in Portland Street, Nelson, leaving him with bruising and cuts to his face and body.

Anyone with information about the latest attack should contact Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.