Two people are in a life-threatening condition after a building explosion.

The blast happened on Bonkle Road in Newmains, Wishaw, shortly after 1.30pm on Thursday.

STV News understands two men managed to free themselves from the derelict pastoral centre and are in a critical condition.

Both were working in the building at the time. Two other men escaped unharmed.

Residents in nearby properties have also been evacuated.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Emergency services are at the scene and two injured parties are being treated by ambulance.

"Police enquiries are ongoing and a number of nearby properties are being evacuated as a precaution."

An air ambulance has also been called.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We dispatched two ambulances, our special operations response team, the trauma team, an officer and our Helimed air ambulance.

"The first unit arrived on scene within three minutes."

A spokeswoman for gas firm SGN said: "Following reports of a small explosion at lunchtime on Bonkle Road, Wishaw, our engineers joined the emergency services on site.

"Our engineers made the situation safe by turning off the gas supply to the building.

"We understand several people are injured and are being treated in hospital. Our thoughts are with them and their family.

"The cause of the explosion is under investigation."