Blackpool taxi driver robbed at knifepoint

The incident happened on the Yeadon Way service station at around 7.30pm.

The attacker, a male with his face covered by a scarf, appeared at first to be a customer.

But he forced the driver out of the taxi - an electric vehicle - after pulling a kitchen knife out and threatening him.

The male then got in the vehicle and drove off, resulting in a police pursuit of it down the M61 into the Greater Manchester area.

The police helicopter was scrambled and followed the stolen vehicle, reporting its progress from above.

Police said the vehicle came to a halt in the Westhoughton area after it ran out of power at about 8.10pm.

A man was detained at the scene.