A taxi driver was ambushed by a gang of youths who hid in a tree and hurled a 3ft-long log at his windscreen.

Usman Patel swerved into the path of approaching traffic when the log crashed against his screen. He avoided a collision - and as he pulled up the youths climbed down from the tree and fled.

It is the latest in a series of attacks on Bolton taxi drivers.

Mr Patel, aged 31, from Astley Bridge, said today: "The log appeared to fall from the sky.

"It hit the windscreen on the passenger side and bits of glass flew into the car. It was lucky I didn't have a passenger.

"If it had hit my side, I might have lost control of the car and who knows what could have happened, I could have been killed."

The incident happened in Brownlow Way, Brownlow Fold, as Mr Patel travelled to pick up a fare on Sunday.

Mr Patel said there about three or four youths involved and they could only have been aged about 14 or 15.

"I'm really scared to go out now in case I get targeted again," he said.

Mr Patel, a driver for Express Private Hire hit the brakes when the log smashed against his windscreen and bounced on to his bonnet. As he stopped, a motorist travelling behind him also pulled over and said the youths responsible had been hiding in a tree.

Now Mr Patel's taxi is out of action and he estimates it will cost £600 in repairs Police are investigating the incident.

Insp Phil Unsworth said: "Youths throwing stones and logs at taxi drivers is not acceptable and we will do what we can to arrest those responsible."!

"Taxi bosses have reported a surge in the number of attacks on drivers in Bolton over the last few months.

In September, a gang of 50 yobs surrounded the taxi of 59-year-old Barbara Culver in Stoneclough and used a bat to smash her back window.

That attack came less than two months after 36-year-old cabbie, Mohammed Nasar, was stabbed with a knife in Westwood Close, Farnworth.

A taxi driver was also robbed at knifepoint in Hall i' th' Wood by two men whom he picked up in Bolton town centre.

Sajid Bax, a spokesman for the Bolton Private Hire Association, said the police must do more to try and combat the problem.

He said: "There are a number of trouble spots in Bolton where private hire taxi drivers are targeted with stones, bottles and other missiles.

"We have to think about the drivers safety and it is possible that drivers will not be able to go to some areas if something is not done to sort this out."

By Amanda Smith