A British man has been shot after resisting a gang of intruders who broke into his Spanish home.

The 60-year-old was injured during a struggle with the men at his house in the small town of Abaran in the south-eastern province of Murcia.

Police believe the victim may have been shot during a bungled kidnap attempt as the intruders tried to drive him and his 55-year-old wife away from the property in their own car.

A British man has been shot after resisting a gang of intruders who broke into his Spanish home in the small town of Abaran (above) in the south-eastern province of Murcia (file picture)

The unnamed husband was taken to hospital in Murcia for surgery following treatment at a health centre in Mula near Abaran to stabilise him.

His condition today was described as 'non life-threatening.' His wife received treatment for scratches.

Initial reports pointed to the attack occurring during a bungled burglary, which took place just before 1am today.

A Civil Guard spokeswoman said the pair were foreigners but said she could not confirm their nationalities or ages.

The spokesman said: 'It appears several individuals including some who were armed forced their way into a house in Abaran in the north of the province of Murcia.

'A man who was inside the house suffered a shotgun wound to his stomach.

'He was taken to hospital in Murcia after initial treatment to stabilise him.

'I can confirm he is foreign, but I cannot confirm his nationality at this stage. His injuries were only slight. We are currently hunting three men.'

The victim was taken to Morales Meseguer Hospital (above) for surgery on a gunshot wound to his stomach

The shooting is understood to have occurred during a struggle between the victim and the intruders.

One local report which quoted sources close to the investigation claimed the victim was shot after thwarting a kidnap attempt. The report said police had ruled out robbery as the motive.

Another said the couple drove themselves to a nearby village to seek for help in a second car they owned after their other car was stolen.

Police confirmed the couple had sought help from locals living in Nino de Mula, a short drive from Abaran but said they were unable to confirm the kidnap reports.

The Civil Guard spokeswoman said: 'The investigation is still open and I have no more information I can give at this stage, although it is true that the foreign couple sought help in a village near to their house and not in Abaran.'

It is not known at this stage if the British couple are expats or were holidaying in the area.

The shotgun victim was taken to the Morales Meseguer Hospital in the provincial capital Murcia.