A taxi driver was robbed at knifepoint in Preston last night - the day after an attempted robbery on another cabbie in the city.

At 7.50pm last night, a male taxi driver reported that he had been robbed at knifepoint by two men in St Paul’s Square.

Police say the two men threatened him and as well as being armed with a knife, the driver told them that the men were also in possession of a firearm.

The men stole an unknown quantity of money and a mobile phone before making off on foot.

Meanwhile, detectives are continuing to investigate an attempted robbery on a taxi driver at the junction of Highfield Avenue and Watling Street Road on Wednesday.

Two youths demanded cash from the driver who reacted by reversing his taxi at speed, colliding with two stationary vehicles.

He was uninjured and no property was stolen. The two males could only be described as approximately 16 years old and they were dressed in dark clothing.

Detectives are investigating reports that the offence involved the use of a firearm, although at this stage they are unable to confirm or negate this.

Det Chief Insp Des Coop said: “We are not connecting the two incidents at this stage, although we will explore the similarities between the two.

“Although we cannot confirm that a firearm was used in either incident, claims have been made to that effect and as such we are treating the two offences incredibly seriously.

Anyone who has any information about either incident is asked to contact police on 01772 203203 or Crimestoppers, free and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.