Two children have died and nine were injured, after a knifeman launched a “ferocious attack” at a children’s dance workshop in the UK.

Six of the injured children are said to be critical.

Two adults are also in a critical condition after being stabbed as they tried to protect children at the Taylor Swift-themed event on Hart Street in Southport.

BBC News says a 17-year-old boy from Lancashire has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Police said the motivation for the attack was “unclear” but it was not being treated as terror-related.