POLICE have released a picture of man they want to speak to after a cab driver was hit in the head with a claw hammer.

The attack in the summer saw the 50-year-old cab driver sustain substantial facial and head injuries with swelling and bruising and a significant facial laceration to his jaw which required corrective surgery.

The attacker is said to have struck when the victim pulled over in his vehicle to check his PDA handheld computer.

He opened the victim’s car door, made verbal threats before repeatedly striking his head and face with the hammer about 6.30pm in Rhyddings Street, Oswaldtwistle, on Thursday August 5.

Contact Accrington CID on 01254 353743 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.