A taxi driver was slashed in the face with a bottle, leaving him scarred for life, after rushing to the rescue of woman he heard crying for help.

The 39-year-old heard her pleas as he passed a parked car in Long Lane, Ashburton, as he was driving towards Bromley at 11.45pm on Saturday.

He pulled over and went to see if the woman needed help, when a man emerged from the car to confront him.

The taxi driver explained he was trying to help and returned to his cab. The man followed him and attacked him and his taxi with a glass bottle. 

Police said the assault left the victim with "significant cuts and injuries" to his face and damage to his taxi.

Detective Constable Lorna Sillet, of Croydon police, said: "This was an unprovoked attack on the victim, who had stopped to check if the woman in the car was OK after hearing a shout for help. 

"As a result of his act of kindness, he's been left with serious cuts to his face, which will leave him scarred for life."

Police today appealed for witnesses to come forward. The attacker was a white man in his late 20s or early 30s, around 5ft 8ins, with short blonde or light brown hair. He was wearing a white t-shirt, blue top and blue jeans and thought to have been driving a blue BMW hatchback.

DC Sillet said: "We are particularly keen to hear from the woman that was in the suspect's car, but also from anyone who was in the area or may have seen a blue BMW that night."

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.