A TAXI driver was hijacked and robbed at gunpoint in a terrifying ordeal on Sunday night.

Geoff Borlaize, 58, of Field View, Chippenham, was forced out of his cab by a passenger who then drove off.

He said: "He put the gun to my head and said I'm the one in charge now. If you do what you're told you won't get hurt'.

"He seemed very calm and collected and in control of the situation. I was pretty shaken up, but I thought I've got to report this as soon as possible.

"I found the only house with lights on and managed to get my words together and told them what happened."

Mr Borlaize picked up the man at the New Road taxi rank in the town at about 10pm on Sunday night.

The man asked to be taken to the new school' so Mr Borlaize drove him to Abbeyfield School in London Road.

The man then put a gun to the back of his head and forced him to drive for about a quarter of a mile down deserted lanes towards Bremhill before telling him to get out of the car.

He then got into the driver's seat of the Peaugeot 406 saloon and drove off, leaving Mr Borlaize, who has been a taxi driver for 26 years, in the middle of the road.

The man demanded money and Mr Borlaize handed over as little as he could, which was about £3.

Mr Borlaize has only lived in Chippenham for about a year and works as an independent taxi driver.

He said although he has never experienced anything this bad before, most taxi drivers have had some form of violence against them.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are looking for a white male, aged 25-30, with short, dark hair, which was either damp or had gel in it. The man was clean-shaven, had clear skin and was of a skinny build.

Dc Paul Kessell of Wiltshire Police said they were treating the weapon as real until proved otherwise .

The car was recovered later in the evening having been abandoned between Hilmarton and Compton Bassett.

Police say some items had been removed including some more money.

He said they are interested in speaking to anyone who might have experienced a similar incident and not reported it.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police directly on 0845 4087000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.