A man has been left with serious injuries after being attacked with a bladed weapon by three masked intruders in an Edinburgh murder bid.

The victim and another man were assaulted by three men in balaclavas who broke into a property in the city's south side.

The incident took place within a house in the Pitcairn area at around 5.30pm on Wednesday after a 43-year-old woman discovered the three men in the house on hearing a disturbance in the hallway.

The men then attacked the 48-year-old victim, assaulting him with a bladed weapon and causing a serious head injury.

A 32-year-old man then suffered a laceration to his hand after trying to intervene.

Emergency services attended and both men were taken to hospital.

The 48-year-old remains in a serious but stable condition and the 32-year-old released following treatment.

The suspects arrived at the property in a black Audi A5, bearing the false registration plate YN63 MKD, which was found on fire a short distance away in Harperigg Way.

The men are then believed to have left the Oxgangs area in a second vehicle, described as a silver hatchback car, possibly a Ford Focus.

Police are treating the incident as an attempted murder.

Detective inspector Bruce Coutts from Corstorphine CID said: "The 48-year-old man has suffered serious injuries as a result of this incident and was subjected to a sustained attack with a weapon.

"We believe the three men involved were all wearing black clothing and balaclavas covering their faces and used two vehicles during the course of the incident.

"I'm especially eager to hear from anyone who may have seen either the Audi A5 in the area of Pitcairn Grove immediately prior to, or after the incident, or who saw the suspects leave the Oxgangs area in the silver car after abandoning the Audi in Harperigg Way.

"I'd also urge anyone who can help us identify those involved to come forward as soon as possible."