THREE males have been arrested as part of an investigation into a 'sickening and cowardly attack' which left a taxi driver unconscious with facial injuries in a Widnes car park.

The three from Widnes have been released by police pending further enquiries into the incident which took place in the early hours of Saturday, June 15.

Between 1.05am and 1.35am that day a small group of people banged on the boot of a taxi in Appleton Village car park, which is at the side of St Bede's Catholic Men’s Club.

At that point the driver of the taxi, a 59-year-old man from Widnes, got out of the vehicle.

He was then assaulted by two males who were with a female. The group left him lying unconscious on the floor.

The taxi driver awoke to discover that he had sustained facial injuries.

He phoned for help and was subsequently taken to hospital via an ambulance.

The serious facial injuries he sustained as a result of the attack require ongoing medical treatment.

Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the area and witnessed the incident, or saw anything else that may aid their investigation, to get in touch.

They also want to speak to anyone who believes they may know the identities of anyone involved in the incident or have CCTV or dashcam footage of them.

Detective Inspector Ian Whiley, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, said: "This was a sickening and cowardly attack on a man who was simply trying to earn a living for his family.

"It has left him with serious facial injuries that require ongoing medical treatment and the unprovoked assault has left his family devastated – his children are extremely upset and cannot understand why anyone would attack their gentle dad.

"I would like to reassure the community that this appears to have been an isolated incident, we have stepped up patrols in the area and we are determined to establish who assaulted the victim and bring them to justice.

"Enquiries are ongoing and as part of our investigation we are appealing for anyone who believes they may have information or CCTV or dashcam footage regarding the incident to come forward."

Anyone with information or CCTV footage that may help the investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 428532, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Dashcam footage can be submitted online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage.