A man who was stabbed and left with severe burns after an explosion at a disused building is a gangland figure with links to a deadly feud.

Craig Gallagher is being treated in hospital after being attacked in the building on Hall Street in New Stevenston, North Lanarkshire.

Gallagher, known as Rob Roy, managed to escape the building and drive himself six miles to the nearest hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police officers attended the scene at around 11.40pm on Tuesday after receiving reports of a disturbance, a fire and an explosion.

After leaving the building the injured man was pursued by another man in a light car who was also seen carrying a weapon.

After Gallagher attended Monklands Hospital his white van, which was covered in blood, was spotted outside.

He was later transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where is condition has been described as serious.

It is believed the derelict building where the attack took place is known to be a crime hub regularly used by gangsters and drug dealers.

Police are treating the incident as attempted murder and have not ruled out the possibility of the attack being linked to the ongoing feud between warring crime clans.

The 38-year-old was originally a close friend and associate of Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll but was later accused of murdering the gangland enforcer after a falling out.

Carroll was an enforcer and debt collector for the Daniel family, who have been involved in a long running turf war with the rival Lyons family.

After Carroll was shot dead in a gangland hit at an Asda car park in 2010, Gallagher was one of eight men named in court as potentially being involved in the murder, but was never charged.

Due to the condition of the building, officers have been so far unable to carry out a thorough search of the premises.

Detective superintendent Kenny Graham said: "We believe that there has been some sort of criminal activity taking place in the building and that the attack on the man and the fire was linked to that.

"We do not consider this to be a random attack."

Police also confirmed enquires are ongoing.