An attempted robbery at a newsagents which saw a shopkeeper stabbed in the head with a machete is being treated as attempted murder.

Tahir Ahmed was manning the till at his shop A&A Stores, on the corner of South Trinity Road and Cargill Terrace in Edinburgh, around 5.20pm on Friday when two men confronted him and demanded money.

He tripped the silent alarm and tried to fight them off with a stool, before suffering two blows to the head with a machete, his family said.

Detectives investigating the case are treating the attack as attempted murder.

Mr Ahmed, 54, had previously fought off a knifeman at the shop and was confronted with a gun around a year ago.

His son Zee, 32, said: "One guy was at the back of the shop, a younger fella, and another guy came in the door with a machete.

"They went over to the fridge, grabbed a packet of sausages and said: 'Hand the money over.'

"My dad hit the silent alarm and picked up the stool and threw it at them.

"There was a struggle beside the sweet stand, which was knocked over, and he was stabbed in the head twice in the temple area.

"There was blood everywhere. I would put it down as attempted murder, rather than assault and robbery which is what the police are calling it.

"He was in A&E but he's been released to a ward, where he is now stable. He's really tired, really weak and he's lost a lot of blood."

Both suspects wore dark clothing and dark woollen beanie hats and one was wearing a dark gilet.

The first man is described as 20 to 25 years old, of a medium build, with a pale complexion and was unshaven.

The second attacker is described as 35 to 40 years old, of a slim build with a pale complexion and gaunt features.

Detective sergeant Todd Rutherford, of Corstorphine CID, said earlier: "This was a cowardly attack, and the shopkeeper bravely fought off the attackers despite a shocking level of violence and the serious injuries he sustained.

"At the time of the incident, it is likely there would have been pedestrians and drivers in the Cargill Terrace area and we know the suspects were loitering near the shop before the incident took place.

"If anyone has seen these men before, during or after the attack, please contact us."

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.