A hunt has been launched after a would-be robber attempted to ram-raid a shop and a garage in East Renfrewshire.

A Peugeot estate was deliberately reversed into the front of a Scotmid Co-operative store on Mearns Road, Clarkston, causing extensive damage at around 5.20am on Friday.

A short time later, the car then reversed into the front of a Londis store within a BP petrol station in Newton Mearns less than a mile away.

The driver made off empty handed before police arrived.

Inspector Bryan McGeogh said: "Officers are currently in the area gathering information for this investigation and gathering CCTV footage.

"Our enquiries are still at an early stage but it does not appear that anything has been stolen.

"Inquiries are ongoing to trace the vehicle involved and its driver.

"The car involved was a silver Peugeot estate which had roof rails running the length of the vehicle.

"The back of the car will be very badly damaged and I would urge anyone with information on its whereabouts or who was driving to contact police as soon as possible."