Around 12 elderly people had to be evacuated after a fire nearly destroyed a block of flats in a South Lanarkshire village.

The blaze broke out around 5.25pm on Friday at the building on Bishop's Gate, Thorntonhall.

Firefighters were called out and initially tried to tackle the blaze from inside the building.

However they had to pull back due to fears the three-storey block of flats would collapse.

The local council said the residents, all of whom were elderly, had all found alternative accommodation with friends and family.

A fire service spokeswoman said: "Eight firefighters using two man jets and two hose reel jets attacked the fire from inside the building.

"Despite efforts to extinguish the fire the building's structure began to show signs of instability, and the decision was taken to fight the fire externally using a height appliance."

A spokesman for South Lanarkshire council said: "We were alerted to the incident by the fire brigade and attended in case residents needed accommodation or any help.

"Every resident found a place with friends of family. We are always available when residents are in trouble."