An early morning dog walker could hold the key to identifying two men involved in the brutal attempted robbery of a taxi driver.

The victim was choked and punched during the terrifying trip from Nantwich to Macclesfield on January 29.

One of the offenders also tried to bite the driver on the face and steal his money belt.

Police are now appealing for a female dog walker who walked past the taxi on Berwick Close between 6-6.30am as its horn was blaring while the driver fought off his attacker.

The Cars R Us driver was in a liveried blue Ford Mondeo Estate when he picked up two men from Wall Fields Road in Nantwich at 5.30am.

DC Ali Greenwood said the passengers became violent during the journey to Macclesfield.

"The first attack occurred as they approached Arclid crossroads on the A50. One of the men in the back of the car tried to choke the driver. As a result the car stopped at the cross roads.

The same passenger then attacked the driver again when stopped at Berwick Close, in Macclesfield, by hitting him, climbing into the front seat and trying to bite at him on the face. He then tried to grab the driver's money belt around his waist.

"The second man stopped the other man from his attack as they both got out of the vehicle. The driver was able to reverse at speed and escape. The driver was left relatively unscathed but shocked by his ordeal."

The main attacker is described as white, 19-years-old, slim and between 5ft9in to 5ft11in tall. He had dark blond to brown hair, was wearing a light grey hoodie with the hood up and dark bottoms.

The second man is described as white, 30-years-old, slim and between 5ft7in and 5ft9in tall. He had blondish cropped hair. He has a tattoo on his right arm or elbow area. He was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.

DC Ali Greenwood added: "We're especially keen to speak to a female dog walker who walked past the car at the time of the second attack which would have been around 6am to 6.30am. She would have been alerted to the car as its horn was blaring as the driver fought off his attacker."

Anyone with information should contact Macclesfield CID on 101 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.