POLICE have appealed for help to track down two suspected burglars who were spotted lurking in a Renfrewshire village last night.

The dodgy duo, who were hooded and had their faces covered, were seen in the Murchison Road/Hewett Crescent area of Houston at around 6.50pm.

One of the men was clocked jogging past homes with a torch, while the second was seen in the garden of a house.

An onlooker chased one of the men along Hewett Crescent but was threatened by the thug, who then got in a white Audi saloon car which was driven from the scene.

Both suspects are around 5ft 9ins tall and spoke with English accents.

One is of stocky build and was wearing a striped hooded top with light and dark grey stripes.

The other man is of medium build and was wearing a light-brown hooded top and dark trousers.

Police have said the men may be linked to housebreakings which took place several miles away just days earlier.

At around 6.30pm on Sunday, a similar incident took place in Haberlea Avenue, Glasgow, when a house was broken into and around £300 in cash and a quantity of jewellery was stolen.

In another incident on Monday, a house in Kirkhall Gardens, Ardrossan, was broken into and a large quantity of money was stolen.

Three men, all wearing balaclavas, were seen and, again, a white Audi saloon car was spotted.

Detective Constable Ashley O'Neill, of Paisley CID, said: "I am appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the Houston area on Wednesday, or at any of the other locations, to get in touch with us.

"It may be the case that these incidents are linked and we asking anyone with any information which might be of assistance to get in touch."

If you can help, call the police on 101. Alternatively, ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be passed on anonymously.