A taxi driver relived the moment a passenger pulled a knife in an attempted armed robbery and said :"I thought I was going to die."

Mohammed Saddaque, 54, was cut on his neck and hands after he grabbed the blade being held to his throat.

The ordeal began when he picked the man up in Thursby Road, Burnley, at 3.20am on Sunday January 26th. He asked to go to Brownhill Avenue and sat behind the driver's seat.

Mr Saddaque said, "As soon as I picked him up he looked suspicious. He sat behind me and ducked down after we set off. I wondered what he was doing. I looked in the mirror but I couldn't see him.

"The next thing I knew he had a balaclava on and had grabbed me from behind. He then put a knife to my throat. At that first moment I thought I was going to die, but I managed to get hold of the knife and I didn't let go."

The father-of-four kept hold of the knife, even thought the blade was cutting his fingers and throat.

He continued, "He was asking for all my takings. I told him he could have the lot if he took the knife away from my throat but he didn't.

"Then he started hitting me on the back of the head with something. I then opened the door and the lights inside the car came on.

"That seemed to startle him and he jumped out. While he was out of the car I took the handbrake off and set off. He was shouting and banging on the windows, but I didn't stop."

Cab controller Khadem Hussain said, "I think this was the most serious incident I have ever had to deal with.

"We have arguments with customers nearly every day but an attack like this has never happened.

"I think all taxi drivers in Burnley will worry if someone like this is out on the streets.

"He nearly killed Mohammed -- I would say when someone holds a knife to your throat you are very close to being killed. I don't know how he managed to get away but he's been very lucky."

A spokesman for Burnley CID said, "We are obviously appealing for witnesses to come forward. If anyone has information about this crime they should contact us immediately."

The attacker was white, of average height, weight and build, with short, spiky hair and a 'vicious' face. He was wearing gloves and a brown coloured balaclava.

Anyone with information can contact Burnley Police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.