Multiple shots were fired outside the Delaware home of American vice-president Joe Biden, the Secret Service has said.

The gunshots were fired from a vehicle on a public road on Saturday night.

The vice-president and his wife were not at the Greenville residence at the time.

Secret Service personnel heard the shots fired from outside the home's secure perimeter at about 8.25pm.

A vehicle then drove past the property at speed and fled the scene, the agency said.

The vice-president and his wife were briefed on the incident.

The Secret Service said it is working with New Castle County Police to investigate the shooting.

The Bidens regularly spend weekends at their Delaware home and commute back to Washington for the work week.

While serving in the Senate, Mr Biden frequently commuted daily by train to the nation's capital.

Originally posted at 17.47