A KNIFE-WIELDING man stole a Blackpool taxi before abandoning it in St Helens and car-jacking another vehicle.

The man stole the private hire cab, a white Ford Mondeo estate, at knife-point from outside the Mecca building, Central Drive at about 7am before taking it along the M55 and M6 to St Helen's.

Tower Taxis driver Brian Davies, 40, was unharmed but police said they were treating the car-jacking as a "very serious incident".

After abandoning the taxi, the offender stopped a 23-year-old female driver at a roundabout in St Helen's, dragged her from her Ford Ka and grabbed her keys.

She was punched in the arm during the struggle which police described as a "particularly nasty incident".

The offender was described as white, male, in his late 20s or early 30s, of stocky build. He had short, brown hair and was wearing a dark bomber style jacket, dark indigo blue jeans and a dark woollen hat.

Acting Inspector Keith Lee of Lancashire Police said: "We are treating this as a very serious incident and would appeal for anyone with information to contact the police immediately."

Detective Sergeant Graham Harrison of St Helens CID added: "This type of incident is very unusual however if people do find themselves in this situation I would urge them to only wind the windows part way and keep the doors locked."

Blackpool Police can be contacted on 293933 and St Helens CID on 0151 777 6062.