A man was battered by three attackers carrying a hammer and axe in a suspected case of mistaken identity after they forced their way into a house.

The 33-year-old victim was in the home in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, in the early hours of Sunday when the men entered the property.

They forced their way into the house on Rannoch Drive at around 3.15am and attacked the man with a hammer and axe.

The three men then ran out of the house and made off in a black car parked on Rannoch Drive.

Police believe the attack was not random but the victim was not the intended target.

The man was treated for his injuries at Wishaw General Hospital before being allowed home.

Detective constable Graham McAdam, of Wishaw CID, said: "I do not believe that this was a random attack, however, I think that the 33-year-old man was not the intended target and that he was the victim of mistaken identity.

"I urge anyone who has any information that could assist our enquiries to contact Wishaw CID immediately on via 101."