Two Saudi guards have been shot dead and three others injured by a man who drove up to the gate of the royal palace in Jeddah and opened fire.

Royal Guards killed the gunman, who has been identified as a 28-year-old Saudi national.

The attack occurred at a checkpoint outside the western gate to the Peace Palace in Jeddah, where the royal family conducts official business during the summer months.

Saudi King Salman is currently away on a state visit to Russia.

While police seized a number of weapons from the gunman's vehicle, they have not released his motive or any other details.