Heartbreaking news.

A 17-year-old male from Banks, who was originally from Cardiff, was arrested in connection to the stabbing.

He remains in custody.

Speaking to the press this evening, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: "It is with great sadness today that I am here to advise that two children have died as a result of the injuries sustained in this morning's knife attack.

"Nine other children have been injured and six of them are in a critical condition. All those injured have suffered stab wounds.

"Also two adults are in a critical condition after being injured in the incident."

A "major incident" was declared this morning by police in Southport following reports of a stabbing that had left multiple people injured.

Police said early this afternoon: "At around 11.50am, we were called to a property on Hart Street to reports of a stabbing.

"Armed police have detained a male and seized a knife. He has been taken to a police station."

Alder Hey Children's Hospital later declared a major incident and said that they were treating those injured.

The hospital said in a statement: "The Trust is working with other emergency services to respond to this incident and our Emergency Department is currently extremely busy.

"We ask parents to only bring their children to the Emergency Department if it is urgent.

"All other appointments and services are running as normal."

It read: "We have dispatched 13 ambulances along with specialised resources of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), Air Ambulance, and Merit Doctors to the scene.

"So far, NWAS has treated eight patients with stab injuries who have been taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Aintree University Hospital, and Southport and Formby hospital."