A driver has been ambushed and a taxi stolen, STV News understands.

Emergency services were called to Merry Street in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, shortly after 4am on Wednesday.

The man, 54, suffered serious facial injuries and was taken to Wishaw General Hospital.

It is understood police have cordoned off an area near flats.

Detective Constable Colin Sharp from Wishaw CID said: "Inquiries are at an early stage to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area in the early hours of this morning and may have witnessed what happened, or noticed anything suspicious, to please come forward.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Wishaw CID via 101, quoting incident number 0179 of Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

"Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence."

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We received a call at 4.05am to attend an incident on Merry Street.

"We dispatched one ambulance to the scene.

"One male patient in his 50s was taken to Wishaw General Hospital."