A MAN from Christchurch has been arrested following an alleged racially aggravated assault on a Bournemouth cabbie.

Police confirmed that a 24-year-old was being held in connection with an incident in Sandown Road, Christchurch, which took place at 2.45am on Saturday, October 24.

Police said a taxi driver had collected a man outside a nightclub in Bargates.

The passenger asked to be taken to Mudeford but partway into the journey said he had only a certain amount of money on him.

It was agreed that the driver would drive as close to the passenger's destination as possible, and once the meter was over the amount specified, the driver stopped in Sandown Road, around a mile away from the rank, police said.

However, it is alleged that the passenger then became "verbally abusive" and made racist remarks before throwing the driver to the ground, stamping on him and punching him to the chest and face.

The driver, a Bournemouth man in his 30s, lost consciousness briefly and required medical treatment, it is said.

A man made himself known to Dorset Police on Thursday, October 29, a spokesperson added.