Police are hunting two thieves who drove a stolen car into the front of shops in order to rob them.

The men drove a Renault Megane into two shops in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, in the early hours of Wednesday and eventually made off with a three-figure sum of cash and electrical equipment.

In the first incident at about 4am the car was driven into Senors Fish and Chip Shop in Bellsdyke Road, breaking the shutters and allowing the men in to steal money and goods.

CCTV later showed the same car being reversed into Burnfoot Convenience Store in Laidon Road, but the thieves could not get into the shop because of damage to the shutters.

The Megane had earlier been stolen in Coatbridge, police said. It was recovered at the scene of the raid in Laidon Road.

The two suspects are around 20-years-old with slim builds. One was wearing a white tracksuit top with the hood up, jeans and gloves while the other had on a black baseball cap, green jacket and light-coloured trousers.

Inspector Vincent Ferris said: "On checking CCTV, two men were seen reversing the Renault Megane car into the convenience store and running off afterwards.

"They didn't manage to get in, however, it is thought, due to the damage to the shutter and the front of the shop, they did the same at the fish and chip shop a short time earlier.

"On this occasion they did manage to gain entry and made off with the three-figure sum of money and some electrical equipment.

"The area around both shops is residential so I have no doubt that someone will have either heard or seen the incident take place.

"At this time we do not know if the men had access to a second vehicle, so again would appeal to anyone with information about these incidents to contact the community investigation unit at Airdrie police office via 101 or in confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."