Two men have been charged after allegedly holding a taxi driver hostage in his cab as he drove them from Dartford to Ebbsfleet Station.

The driver, who has not been named, was apparently prevented from stopping his vehicle and was allegedly threatened by two of his passenger as he drove.

The incident happened shortly before noon on Saturday, and the pair were charged this afternoon with various offences.

A spokesman for police said: “Kent Police investigating an incident involving a taxi driver at Ebbsfleet Railway Station on Saturday have charged two men.

“Clive James Vivian, 32, of Cornwall Road, Dartford, and 27-year-old Jamie Vivian of Sidcup, have both been charged with, making off without paying the taxi fare, possessing an offensive weapon (a bottle of ammonia) in a public place, criminal damage and racially aggravated assault.”

The charges come after police were called to Ebbsfleet Railway Station at about 11.50am on Saturday to respond to reports the cabbie was allegedly being threatened and assaulted by two passengers he had picked up in University Way, Dartford.

The duo allegedly prevented the taxi driver from stopping.

The men eventually got out of the taxi at Ebbsfleet, just before midday and were arrested a short while later.