A TAXI driver was stabbed seven times in the neck and head during an attack by a passenger.

Mohammed Nasar, a 36-year-old private hire driver, was attacked with a kitchen knife in Westwood Close, Farnworth, after picking up a man in Plodder Lane early yesterday morning.

The father-of-three was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital and released after treatment.

Mr Nasar, of Crescent Road, Great Lever, who drives for Cobra Private Hire, was recovering at home last night.

Colleague Bazar Iqbal said: "It seems like this was a totally random and unprovoked attack. He was just doing his job. Physically he will be all right, but he is very shaken."

Police were called to Westwood Close at 12.50am by Mr Nasar, who said he had been stabbed with a kitchen knife by a passenger who asked him to drive to that street. The man struck from behind, then fled.

Sajid Khan, chairman of Bolton Private Hire Association, said he had concerns about the number of taxi drivers being attacked.

Private hire driver Abdul Khalique was punched by a group who tried to board his private hire minibus in Bank Street, Bolton, in May, leaving him unconscious and bleeding from a wound to his head.

That incident came just weeks after a taxi driver was robbed at knifepoint in Hall i' th' Wood by two men whom he picked up in Bolton town centre.

Drivers threatened to boycott parts of Bolton after cars were pelted with bricks and stones in April.

Mr Khan said: "This seems like it was another attack on a man going about his job.

"The safety of our drivers is a big concern and it worries me to see people being attacked in this way." A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "It's possible the two men were involved in a dispute over the fare before the attack.

"The driver is fortunate not to have suffered more serious injuries."

A 19-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attack on suspicion of wounding. Anybody with information is should call contact Bolton CID on 0161 856 5740 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.