A MAN sprayed a taxi driver in the face with a mystery liquid in Rochdale after he had been asked to pay a £3 fare.

The driver picked up the man on Edenfield Road, and was told to drive to Norden.

The victim asked for three pounds before he drove off. The offender said he had no money and leant over and sprayed the driver in the face with an unknown liquid before running off.

The driver has not suffered any serious injuries following the assault at about 11.45pm on August 14.

The attacker is described as white, aged 18 or 19, 5ft 7in to 5ft 8in, with short black hair. He was wearing a dark blue T-shirt with tracksuit bottoms.

Sergeant Phil Barlow said: "This driver was innocently going about his job when he was attacked for no reason other than a disagreement over a £3 fare.

"Drivers do face risks every time they pick up a passenger, particularly those who have had a drink, but this was a completely senseless attack that could have blinded the victim if the liquid had been dangerous.

"The offender must have been carrying this spray around with him and must have planned to use it, so he is clearly someone we need to apprehend.

"I would appeal to anyone who has information about this incident to call us."