A taxi driver was attacked and robbed of nearly £400 in takings moments after finishing his shift in Shrewsbury early today.

Carl Bates, of Water Street, Castlefields, had just parked his car in North Street at about 4.40am when a man pushed him into railings and ran off with his money bag.

Mr Bates, 27, is a self-employed driver for Central Taxis.

He said he chased the man but tripped over, twisting his ankle and hurting his knee.

Police are investigating the robbery, which Mr Bates said had left him angry as he had lost two days’ takings that he will not be able to claim back.

Mr Bates said: “I had finished my shift and had got out of my taxi and was walking from my car to my flat when I was mugged.

“The guy was just sitting on the wall but he must have seen me pull up in my taxi. He came up to me and asked for a cigarette and I gave him one.

“As soon as he took it out of my hand he pushed me into railings and I dropped my sat nav, keys and money bag.

“He fell on to me and then he picked up the money bag and sat nav and started to run off. He dropped the sat nav so I have got that back. I ran after him but I only got abo- ut six yards and I tripped over, twisting my ankle.

“I was completely shook up and really angry because I have lost a lot of money, there was about £380 in the bag.”

The attacker is in his late teens or early 20s, about 6ft in height and slim. He wore a white cap, light blue sports jacket with darker blue stripes across the chest, white jogging bottoms with stripes, with the bottoms tucked into red socks, and white trainers.

He was also wearing black gloves and a red scarf and carrying a blue rucksack.

West Mercia Police spokesman Richard Ewels said: “The thief, a young man, also stole his sat nav but this was recovered by the owner after being dropped as the off- ender ran off down a lane towards the river.

“The victim was not seriously hurt, but did suffer some grazing.”

Police have appealed for anyone who may have seen the man, or if they know his identity, to call them on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

By Russell Roberts