A TAXI driver was attacked and robbed of his takings by a passenger in the early hours yesterday.

The driver, from Hartlepool's Premier Taxis, picked up the fare outside Wesley's nightclub in the town at 2am.

He was asked to take the passenger, a man aged about 30, to the Blackhall area of east Durham as he wanted to find his girlfriend.

The taxi, a yellow Citroen ZX, went to several streets in Blackhall, but after failing to see the woman, the passenger asked to be taken to nearby Horden.

The taxi driver dropped the man off near the Bell pub in Sunderland Road, at about 2.15am, and he paid his fare.

But the passenger suddenly launched an attack on the driver, striking him round the face several times before grabbing the takings, more than £100, and escaping on foot.

The 34-year-old driver was shaken and suffered minor facial injuries, but did not require hospital treatment.

Police said his assailant was 5ft 9in, wiry built, with short dark hair, and was wearing a white T-shirt and blue denim jeans.

Detective Sergeant Ted Archer, of Peterlee CID, said: "This was a very nasty assault which came completely out of the blue.

"We are appealing for anyone in the Horden area at the time who might have seen the taxi pull up or who might have seen this man run away, to come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to ring 0191-586 2621, or the Crimestoppers free-phone line, on (0800) 555111.