Two children have died and nine have been injured, six of whom are in a critical condition, following today's stabbings in Southport, police have said.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday evening, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy confirmed the deaths, as well as that two adults were also critically injured in the attacks.

Kennedy said the adults who were injured were thought to be "bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked" at a Taylor Swift event at a dance school on the town's Hart Street.

A 17-year-old boy from Banks in Lancashire remains in police custody following the "horror movie" stabbings - but the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

Earlier in the day, eight people with stab injuries received treatment at the scene and were taken to hospitals including Alder Hey Children's Hospital, according to North West Ambulance Service.

Emergency services were called to Hart Street at around 12pm, before armed police detained the 17-year-old, seizing a knife.

Reacting to the attack, the Prime Minister said the events today were "just truly awful", and that the whole country was "deeply shocked at what they've seen and heard".

Sir Keir Starmer said: "I know I speak for the whole country when I say our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and the wider community.

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"It's almost impossible to imagine the grief and the trauma that they're going through."

The PM also thanked emergency services for their "professionalism" in their response to the "unthinkable" circumstances.

Colin Parry, owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, also on Hart Street, said earlier today he believed that six or seven "young girls" had been stabbed.

He added: "The mothers are coming here now and screaming. It is like a scene from a horror movie."

Parry continued: "Police have got him. It's like something from America, not like sunny Southport."

One witness at the scene said he called police to an address behind the Hart Space studios, where a yoga class for children in school years two to six - aged between six and 11 - was underway.

Police had set up a large cordon around the dance school, with police officers guarding either end.

Officers and vehicles could be seen from a distance inside the cordon, including crime-scene officers in white boiler suits.