The 41-year-old cabbie, who has not been named, was viciously knifed by a passenger after ordering the driver to hand over money.

The attacker fled, leaving the driver with multiple wounds and sitting in a pool of blood.

Police say it is believed the taxi driver alerted his employers of the incident over the radio, who then called for an ambulance.

The incident began when the taxi driver picked up a passenger from the Bretton Centre at about 3pm yesterday.

He was asked to stop near to a row of garages between Risby and Langley, in Bretton, shortly after 3.15pm.

The male passenger demanded money before stabbing the driver twice in the arm, in the chest and shoulder.

The driver was taken to Peterborough District Hospital, where he is said to be in a stable condition.

A police spokesperson said the attack was being treated as attempted murder.

The stabbing follows another similar incident in the city, although it is understood by police that neither of the incidents are linked.

A 19-year-old man was left fighting for his life after being repeatedly stabbed in an attempted murder bid by three men on November 26 between 1pm and 1.30pm.

The attackers pounced on their victim as he walked along the street in the centre of Peterborough and stabbed him several times.

The victim suffered multiple wounds after being stabbed in the back, the neck and the arm. He was discovered slumped on the street by a passing motorist, who drove him straight to Peterborough District Hospital.

The attackers are all described as dark-skinned.

One was wearing a white tracksuit and the other two had khaki trousers.

Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to call police at Thorpe Wood police station on 0845 456 4564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

A 34-year-old Peterborough man has been arrested in connection with the attack on the taxi driver and is now in custody at Thorpe Wood police station.