Last updated at 18:55 31 October 2007

Three British tourists who mocked a 76-year-old rickshaw driver because he couldn't pedal fast enough for them - then posted a video of the struggling and panting old man on YouTube - have caused uproar in Singapore.

The trio also ran off without paying the £5 fare he requested and escaped in a taxi yelling expletives which were heard on YouTube as they filmed themselves leaving the scene at Clarke Quay, popular nightspot.

“Ten dollars my f***ing arse,” yelled one as the video camera showed a close-up of his face.

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The video titled “the Slowest Taxi In SE Asia” was posted on the popular site by one of the three, who called himself Bo Davis.

Angered by the way they treated the rickshaw driver dozens of Singaporean bombarded the website and local papers, expressing their feelings and what they would like to do to them.

“Don't come back to Singapore,” wrote one. “We will be waiting for you.”

Another attacked them for behaving like Singapore was still a British colony.

And a local tabloid The New Paper splashed the story on the front page with two pages inside, showing the laughing faces of the mocking Brits goading the rickshaw rider.

The video also showed close-ups of the three Brits and the agonised look on the face of the driver, Mr Lee Shee Lam, as he pedalled as fast as he could under the weight of the three men, all in their mid to late twenties.

They were also heard laughing and mocking him. “God, he's in fifth gear,” said one.

They had squeezed into the rickshaw at Clarke Quay for the ten minute ride along the river.

But soon it was clear they were out to poke fun at Mr. Lam along the way.

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Liew Hanqing, a reporter at Singapore tabloid, The New Paper, said she managed to communicate with Bo Davis via YouTube which gives his age as 26. She said: “He seemed surprised at the reaction he got from viewers after he posted the video.

“This was not bullying,” he told her. “I do not like bullies or bullying.”

Davis told her he posted the video to display his personal account which he had just opened - and didn't think anyone would look at it.

He told Hanqing: “I couldn't believe the comments - I was shocked by the threats. People's reactions were shocking but interesting.”

But later Davis said he was sorry that he had caused so much offence to Singaporeans and posted an apology online. Then he removed the video.

“I am sorry for the offence caused, and for being disrespectful to the elderly. But I think it's been blown out of proportion. Yes, I think we were insensitive but not being bullies.”

But the video was put back on YouTube by an another angry Singaporean under the heading UK BASTARDS.

And the anger continued to grow.

Mr. Lam was working again last night in the Clarke Quay area where he is licensed.

He recalled the incident with a grimace and said: “I'd almost forgotten about it, but I was very angry when they ran off without paying."

He had no idea they were making fun of him because he does not understand English too well and had no idea they were filming him.

“They agreed to pay for the ride but then refused and ran away. I couldn't understand why because I did my best to give them a safe ride.

"I am a bit slow when so many people are in the rickshaw, but I am not a youngster any more, like they are. Perhaps when they get old they will know what it's like!”

“I'm not going to worry about them any more,” he said. “I am sure they are now sorry they did this to me.”