A PRIVATE hire taxi driver stabbed by a knifeman six times in his neck, head and arms confessed today: "I thought I was going to die".

Father-of-six Ajiab Khan was attacked inside his cab after taking two passengers to an address in Breightmet.

The 48-year-old needed 21 stitches to severe wounds below his ear, cheek, head and left hand.

The attackers then fled empty-handed leaving Mr Khan, a private hire driver for 10 years, bleeding heavily.

Remarkably, he drove himself to hospital.

Detectives say the attack was motiveless and unprovoked.

Police have also found a knife inside Mr Khan's car, which may have snapped during the brutal assault.

Today recovering from his injuries in the Royal Bolton Hospital, Mr Khan, from Great Lever, said: "When they were stabbing me I thought I was going to die. I realised they were going for my neck with a large knife and I did not think I would survive."

"There was blood pouring down my body and I just thought I must get to hospital."

Mr Khan, who works for Bolton town centre based Bank Street Private Hire, was called to an address in Barchester Avenue, Breightmet on Saturday.

When he arrived at the address at 4.15am he discovered the house was empty.

Two men then emerged from the darkness, got into the car and asked to be driven to a factory off Red Bridge Lane, on the outskirts of Breightmet.

But when they arrived, the two men produced a knife and stabbed Mr Khan as he was sitting helpless in the driving seat in front of them.

He added: "They did not say a word to me. All they told me was where they wanted to go and then to stop.

"I think they jumped out after stabbing me because they lost the knife or the blade snapped."

Mr Khan is now considering whether or, not to carry on working as a private hire driver.

He added: "My children said they do not want me to go out in the taxi ever again."

He has also called for more protection for taxi drivers, adding: "I know it is expensive but I think cameras should be installed. At least the police could then see attackers."

Det Sgt Brian Langrish, of Bolton CID, today appealed for help in tracing the two men.

He said: "It was a nasty attack and completely unprovoked. We do not have a motive at this time. It is quite likely that they were probably planning to rob him but for some reason decided not to.

"Mr Khan lost a lot of blood in the attack. He was only trying to earn a living. These two men need to be caught."

They are believed to be aged in their early 20s.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bolton CID on 0161 8565740 or Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.