A 67-YEAR-OLD taxi driver was slashed across the face in a sickening attack.

The cabbie picked up two men from outside the Black Horse pub on Ripponden Road in Oldham and took them to the town centre.

But as they arrived the pair turned on him. One grabbed his collar while another grabbed his jacket {ndash} causing him to lose control of the car.

Both then demanded money and stabbed him.

The thieves made off empty handed leaving the driver with a stab wound on his leg and a slash on his face.

Det Con Rob Kennedy, of Oldham CID, described the attack as `vicious and unprovoked'.

He added: "It's important that we find these men as they are clearly intent on seriously harming people to get money.

"Taxi drivers often find themselves in a vulnerable position in their job while providing a transport service to the public.

"This should not be taken advantage of."

The offenders were both white, in their twenties and spoke with an Oldham accent.

They were picked up at around 5.00am on Saturday.

The first was between 28 to 30 and of a medium build while the second offender was aged between 22 to 23 and of a slim build.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Oldham CID, on 0161 856 8955, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.