Three men have been injured after they were sprayed with a corrosive liquid during an attack in North Lanarkshire.

The three men, aged 21, 23 and 25, suffered burns when an unknown liquid was sprayed on them on Oak Road in Cumbernauld at around 10.15pm on Saturday.

Police said they are trying to establish a motive for the attack, with the victims' injuries described as "life-changing".

The three victims were in a flat on the street when the front door was kicked down.

When they went to investigate they were confronted by two men who had their faces covered.

The three men chased them on to the street, where a dark car was waiting outside with two further men inside it.

When the victims reached the car they were sprayed with the liquid.

Paramedics were later called out and all three were taken to hospital suffering from burns.

The 21-year-old man suffered burns to his face and remains in hospital in a stable condition, while his two companions were later released.

Detective constable Gary Mackie, of Coatbridge CID, said: "The substance sprayed has still to be analysed, however, suffice to say it was corrosive and the men sustained burns as a result of the attack.

"At the moment we are trying to establish the motive for the attacks and why the men from the car targeted this particular house.

"Officers are speaking to neighbours and checking CCTV in the area, however, we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time, who heard a disturbance or maybe saw a dark coloured car, possibly driving with no lights on to contact police."

He added: "This was a nasty attack, one which obviously the men in the car came prepared for, and whilst thankfully the injuries to the men are not life-threatening, the damage done has been life-changing."