DETECTIVES are hunting three armed robbers after a taxi driver was forced to hand over cash at knifepoint.

Abdul Ghafoor, of Accrington Road, Blackburn, was called to Amars Indian takeaway in Whalley New Road at about 11.20pm on Saturday and asked to go to the Atlantic pub in Moseley Street.

When they arrived at, the passengers then asked to go to Brian Street, where the back seat passenger pulled out a knife and demanded cash.

After a brief struggle, Mr Ghafoor handed over £60 in cash and the robbers fled in the direction of Moseley Street.

Det Insp Mark Gray, of Blackburn CID, said: "This was a very serious incident and I would appeal for anyone with information to call us at Blackburn CID or on the Crimestoppers number which is 0800 555 111."

The robbers were described as a white female, aged about 20, with blonde hair, wearing a blue or dark jacket and jeans; a white male, aged in his early 20s, wearing a dark jacket with a hood covering his face and a white male, also in his early 20s, with light-coloured hair and wearing a blue or dark jacket.