AMBULANCE chiefs last night condemned a "cowardly attack" that left a paramedic needing hospital treatment.

The 36-year-old suffered a dislocated shoulder in an incident involving a taxi driver in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

A spokesman for the North Yorkshire Ambulance Service said: "This was a disgraceful, cowardly and unprovoked attack on our paramedic.

"We strongly condemn this and indeed any violence or aggression shown to our crews. It can't be allowed.

"We trust the law will treat this case with the severity it deserves in order to deter this kind of violence or behaviour towards our staff."

The incident happened early on Saturday as the ambulance driver and a colleague were checking bridges and roads to find out which were passable during the storms.

The ambulance driver, who has been a paramedic for 13 years, was driving along the one-way street of Castle Terrace when he encountered a taxi.

After the alleged attack, the driver's colleague performed first aid and a second ambulance was called from Richmond to take him to the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, where he spent the night, suffering from concussion.

The ambulance driver, who asked not to be named, said: "I feel awful. The side of my face is all bruised and my shoulder's very painful, and the room's still spinning.

"I'll probably be off work for about six weeks and if my shoulder doesn't heal properly, my job might be in jeopardy as I can't work with a weak arm.

"I'm just disgusted that I was just doing my job on an awful night like that and this happened."

A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident. He was released on police bail pending further investigation.