THREE teenagers have been charged in connection with an incident in Burnley town centre in which an Asian taxi driver suffered a cut to his chin and neck.

Police are treating the incident as racially motivated.

It happened near to The Works night club, in Hammerton Street, at 11.30pm on Friday.

Taxi driver Mubarak Ali was taken to Burnley General Hospital and then transferred to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where stitches were inserted in the wound.

He was later allowed home.

Det Sgt Peter Simm said: "I can confirm that we are treating the whole incident as being racially motivated.

"Three young men were arrested at the scene and interviewed by detectives on Saturday. They were later charged."

David Taylor, 18, of Piccadilly Road, Burnley, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Ali and with an offence of affray.

Gareth Williams, also 18, of Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence of using abusive words and behaviour likely to cause alarm and distress.

Lee Hayley, also 18, of Sefton Terrace, Burnley, was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence of using abusive words and behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence.

Williams and Taylor were kept in custody to appear before Pennine magistrates at Burnley today.

Hayley was released on police bail to appear in court tomorrow.

Secretary of the Burnley Private Hire Association Duncan Allan, commented: "We hope it was an isolated incident.

"We are concerned for the safety of drivers and that is something we will be discussing at our next meeting."