A TAXI driver was stabbed in the leg and his torso after the group he was taking home from an Old Town nightclub became abusive.

Detectives are hunting the man said to be responsible for the shocking attack in the early hours in Park North on Saturday.

Police said the driver had picked up two men and a woman from Suju nightclub, Old Town, shortly before 5.30am and was asked to take them to Park North. 

As the vehicle drove along Dawlish Road, the three suspects became abusive to the driver and he ended the fare.

Following an argument, one of the men stabbed the driver before all three ran off in the direction of Radstock Avenue.

The taxi driver was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol but was released the same day. He suffered minor slash wounds to his leg and torso.

Appealing for witnesses, Det Sgt Adrian Bray said: "This was an unprovoked attack on someone who was simply doing his job. Luckily, the injuries he sustained were not serious - it could have been very different due to the violent nature of the attack.

"I would like to reassure our communities that we believe we know who the offenders are and our enquiries to locate them are continuing.

"I would appeal for anyone who was in the Dawlish Road area of Swindon yesterday morning who may have seen this incident or anyone who might have any further information, to contact us immediately."