POLICE are today working to establish the motive behind a horror hit and run murder bid.

A 37-year-old man was deliberately mown down by the vehicle in Braehead Street, Kirkintilloch at around 11pm on Monday.

Two men are believed to have been in the car, which mounted the pavement and hit the victim.

He was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary hospital, where medical staff describe his condition as "serious but stable".

Officers believe the vehicle which struck the man, a silver saloon, may have being damaged during the impact.

They are urging anyone who has seen an accident-damaged vehicle fitting the description of the car involved to get in touch.

Detective Sergeant David MacGregor said: "The motive for this incident is unclear and a man has been left seriously injured.

"I am appealing to local people in the area who may have seen a silver saloon car being driven erratically in the Kirkintilloch area to get in touch.

"Your information could prove important to the inquiry.

"We have ascertained from our initial inquiries that the vehicle sped off following the incident and it may have suffered some damage.

"If anyone has any information or knowledge of the incident or the car, please do contact us."

Police were carrying out door--to-door inquiries and gathering CCTV images from the local area.

Meanwhile, detectives today stepped up their hunt for a driver who deliberately ploughed into a man in Greenock.

As reported in late editions of yesterday's Evening Times, the motorist aimed their car at the 34-year-old victim and left him sprawled in the road.

He was rushed to hospital after the incident in MacGowan Way, close to Leitch Street.

Footage from CCTV cameras in the area has been pooled in a bid to map the movements of the driver and the vehicle.

It happened at around 6.10pm on Monday.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "At around 6.10pm on Monday August 24, police and emergency services responded to reports of a 34-year-old man having been hit by a dark-coloured car in MacGowan Way, close to Leitch Street, in Greenock.

"The 34 year-old man was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital, where he is detained in a serious but stable condition.

"Inquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.