A good Samaritan was mugged after stopping to help the driver of a car he thought had broken down.

Selby taxi driver Ken Webster was knocked unconscious and his night's takings stolen in what police described as a "sinister" attack in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Detectives said it appeared that the three men involved had stopped their car in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night - and then laid in wait for an unsuspecting driver.

Mr Webster, who was knocked out when he was hit on the head by a heavy, blunt instrument, was taken to York District Hospital, but was later allowed home after an X-ray.

The incident happened on a minor road half-way between Wistow and Selby just before 2am yesterday.

Detective Constable Pete Masterman said: "The planning was sinister, and we are anxious to catch the offenders."

Father-of-three Mr Webster, 48, of Johnson Street, Selby, was driving his private hire car back to Selby when he saw three men pushing a dark coloured car.

He said: "It was on a bend on a bridge over a dyke and half the road was blocked because of road works.

"I stopped to give them a hand, and as I approached them, one of them turned round and whacked me. That's all I can remember.

"The police later found my cash bag nearby, with all the money gone.

"It's a real sickener, and I'll think twice before I stop again to help someone."

Mr Webster said today he was still feeling a "bit rough". He had a bump above his right eye, but apart from a headache he was feeling OK.

He said it was the second time he had been mugged in the last two years, adding: "These people are lower than a snake's belly."

Tony Maddison, chairman of Selby Taxi Association, said he was shocked by the attack.

He said he would be having a word with all the town's taxi drivers, telling them to be on their guard in the run-up to Christmas and over the festive period.

Mr Maddison added: "We're hoping a police officer will be appointed to liaise with the taxi trade, so we can deal with problems like these."

Anyone with information should contact Selby police station on 01757 702596 or DC Pete Masterman on 01904 669653.