Police are hunting two armed men who tried to hold a couple up in their own home at gunpoint.

The couple, a 56-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man, are said to have been traumatised by the attack, which officers believe was targeted but have yet to establish a motive.

It happened at about 11pm on Tuesday when the woman answered a knock on her door in Buchanan Avenue, Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, and was confronted by a man carrying what appeared to be a gun.

He pushed her to the ground and entered the house when the woman's husband, who had been upstairs, came down and started struggling with the intruder and his accomplice, who had also entered the house.

The 63-year-old was knocked to the ground and the two suspects fled from the house empty-handed.

The couple were not injured but have been left very distressed by the incident, police said.

The only description officers have of the suspects is that they were both white males and made off from the scene in a white car.

A burnt-out white Mercedes was discovered near Woodend Lodge, Gartocharn, yesterday and forensic officers are examining it to find out if it was used by the two men.

It has so far been established that the car had been stolen from Stepps, North Lanarkshire, on July 19.

Detective Chief Inspector Calum Young said: "This was obviously a very traumatic experience for this couple.

"At this time we have yet to establish a motive but believe that, for whatever reason, the couple were the intended targets.

"Door-to-door enquiries are continuing in the area and everything is being done to trace those responsible.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Buchanan Avenue on the evening of Tuesday September 30 and saw a white car they didn't recognise in the area or any suspicious behaviour to get in touch.

"I would also ask anyone who saw the Mercedes in Gartocharn on Wednesday October 1 or any activity at or near Woodend Lodge to come forward."