IT'S the kind of quiet village where parents are happy to let their children play in the street and everyone knows each other.

IT'S the kind of quiet village where parents are happy to let their children play in the street and everyone knows each other.

The Renfrewshire community of Houston is home to around 6000 people and is ideal for people who want the country life close to Glasgow.

It has a small pub, a church, shops and schools.

Neuk Crescent's neat line of semis built in the 1970s is particularly popular with young families buying for the first time.

However, when residents woke yesterday morning they discovered their quiet little street was at the centre a major police investigation and a story making headlines around the world.

Around 5am, armed police swooped on a semi-detached home at number six Neuk Crescent, around five miles from Glasgow Airport.

Forensic teams erected a blue and white tarpaulin around the garage of the house within hours.

Dozens of homes were sealed off with some residents told they would be unable to return to their houses after leaving the security cordon in the morning.

It emerged the two Asian men had moved into the street six weeks ago after renting out the property.

Maya Logan, 29, a technical support worker who lives at number 80, said: "I saw one of the men washing a 4X4 vehicle outside the house two weeks ago.

"It struck me as a bit odd because it was 8am on a Saturday morning and there was no-one else about.

"My friend used to own the house and sold it around six or seven months ago.

"It's a horrible feeling to know these men were living so close to you, especially because so many of us have children."

Mrs Logan, a mum-of-two, said she had seen the vehicle parked outside number six on two occasions.

It's understood the three-bedroom house was put up for sale in December or January for offers in excess of £155,000.

Neuk Crescent is mostly populated by young families and older people and neighbours said it was odd for two men to rent out a three-bedroom home in the street. The blinds were constantly drawn and the men were only ever spotted returning to the property around 1am.

Unconfirmed reports claimed one of the suspects was spotted wearing a stethoscope around his neck.

Neighbours said three different cars, a silver Peugeot, a silver Vauxhall Astra and a light blue Mercedes were also seen at the house.

The green Jeep Cherokee, registration plate L808 RDT, remained at the airport until late yesterday afternoon for forensic tests.

As police swarmed over the crescent, officers moved in to seal off a number of homes in North Street, in the heart of the village.

Officers stood guard around a white van in a car park, 150 yards from the Houston Inn pub.

No homes were evacuated but residents were questioned before being allowed inside the cordon.

Residents said the van, which had no markings on it, had been parked there for several days and had an out-of-date tax disc.

Meanwhile, a controlled explosion was carried out yesterday on a car at the hospital where one of the suspects is being treated.

The car was believed to be connected to the attack, Strathclyde Police said.

Explosives experts were at the car park of the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley and a massive cordon was thrown round the infirmary.

Police said army bomb disposal officers were called out to the hospital car park after a suspect vehicle was found.

A spokesman said: "It is believed this car is connected to Saturday's incident at Glasgow Airport."

The force said there was "no indication at this time" the car contained any explosives.

But a spokesman added: "As a precautionary measure, a cordon has been put in place to ensure public safety and a controlled explosion carried out."

Army officers were at the scene dealing with the vehicle late yesterday afternoon.

While the restrictions were in place, the hospital's accident and emergency department was unable to admit emergency "blue light" patients taken there by ambulance.

They were taken to the Western Infirmary and the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.

All other services were operating and an alternative entrance and car park area were available.

Part of the hospital was evacuated on Saturday after the arrival of the man when a "suspect device" was found on his body.

Police have denied reports this device was a "suicide vest" after it was examined by explosives experts.

David Willie, 21, lives 100 yards from the hospital and said he saw three helicopters, four police cars, a bomb squad and two fire engines arriving at the scene around 3.30pm.

He said: "They are keeping all patients in and they are not letting anyone outside."

He said members of his family had been trying to visit patients in the hospital but were not allowed.

John Malcolm, assistant chief constable of Strathclyde Police, said: "We are receiving an excellent response from the public with an average of 100 calls every hour.

"Our communities are outraged at this act and are fully supportive of our actions.

"We are satisfied this investigation is progressing at pace and we have extensive resources."