A BOLTON taxi driver was forced into the boot of his car and taken on a terrifying drive through the streets of the town after being robbed at knifepoint.

Police are looking for three men who ripped the radio out of the taxi and held a knife at the driver's neck before stealing about £50 which he had made in fares.

Tanvier Hussain, aged 22, an employee at Bank Street Taxis in Bolton town centre, picked up three men from a phone box on Eskrick Street, Halliwell, at 1.05am this morning.

During the 45 minute ordeal, the men ordered Mr Hussain to go to Barrow Bridge but directed him down Smithills Dean Road, Walker Fold Road, Chorley Old Road and then to Johnson Fold.

They then asked him to go to Barrow Bridge again but half way along Longshaw Ford Road the men asked the driver to stop, indicating that they had arrived at their destination.

Two of the men got out of the car and the third, sitting behind Mr Hussain, put a knife to his throat and demanded cash. Mr Hussain was then ordered into the boot and the men drove around for about 10 minutes, after which the car was abandoned in the car park area at Moss Bank Park.

When Mr Hussain realised the men had gone, he escaped from the boot through the parcel shelf and flagged down a police car at about 1.50am. Anyone with information should contact Astley Bridge CID on (0161) 856 5742.

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