A teacher was stabbed outside his home by a gang as he tried to protect his neighbour's car in Lanarkshire.

Ian Howson, 57, is now recovering at home from his injuries following the "attempted murder" in the Blairhill area of Coatbridge on Monday morning.

Police said the teacher and his wife were woken around 5.40am on Monday to the sounds of three men outside their home in the town’s Lefroy Street, close to the Georgian Hotel and Manor Park Nursery. Mr Howson went outside to confront the gang where he was stabbed. The men then ran off.

Strathclyde Police said he was "lucky to be alive".

Neighbours tried to help Mr Howson, who was able to stand, but was bleeding heavily.

A doctor, who lives nearby, treated Mr Howson using his top to help staunch the bleeding before paramedics arrived.

The headteacher at St Ambrose High School, where Mr Howson works, described her colleague as a "popular outgoing guy".

Headteacher Ellen Douglas said: "People were taken aback to learn what had happened. There is a real sense of disbelief and shock from everyone at the school. He is a popular outgoing guy and a really pleasant individual.

"I think the pupils are staying level-headed and in times like this we always make an effort to maintain a sense of calm in the building and the youngsters have responded to that so at this point in time we have no undue concerns about our pupils.

"Everyone at the school is thinking of him and we wish him a speedy recovery and most of all we are really looking forward to having him back in the classroom."

Mr Howson, a former headmaster of Caldervale High School in Airdrie, has been working at the school part-time. Mrs Douglas described Mr Howson as highly respected among staff and pupils and an enthusiastic teacher.

She said: "John is a local man and a long-serving teacher in North Lanarkshire Council and he was headmaster for a number of years for one of the local secondary schools.

"He has been working in St Ambrose since August and in that period of time he really has proved himself to be a really hard working, conscientious and enthusiastic teacher. He was very highly respected and very popular both with colleagues and pupils."

Strathclyde Police, who are treating the attack as attempted murder, are now appealing for witnesses and have issued a description of the men, who are all white. The first man was aged between 20 and 22, about 5ft 8in tall and has dirty fair hair. He had "broad shoulders" and was wearing a grey sweatshirt at the time of the incident.

The second is aged between 18 and 20, is 5ft 6in tall, thin, with fair hair. The third man is 5ft 5in, well-built, with short dark hair. He was wearing dark clothing.

Detective Inspector Bob Frew of Coatbridge CID, who is leading the investigation, said: "There were three of the suspects against just one man - it really does beggar belief that he was attacked so viciously for just trying to defend property.

"We believe that the three men involved were opportunists; looking to steal anything they could. It is possible that they had been in the area for a while as there were a number of either break-ins or attempts to break in at other houses and cars in the area. Someone must have seen or heard something and we would urge them to come forward.

"Officers are checking CCTV and carrying out door-to-door enquiries in the area to try and establish their identity and movements."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Coatbridge CID on 01236 503900. Details can also be given anonymously at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.