West Cumbria's two MPs – Trudy Harrison and Sue Hayman – are both safe and under lockdown after Parliament was attacked this afternoon.

Mrs Harrison (Copeland) and Mrs Hayman (Workington) are both currently in lockdown in the House of Commons following the incident this afternoon

Mrs Harrison says she was ushered into a safe place within the House of Commons by police officers. She told The Whitehaven News at 3.30pm: "It's calm but obviously a nervous time for everyone."

Mrs Hayman's Workington office also confirmed that the MP is safe and also under lockdown in the Commons.

An attacker is reported to have been shot by police after crashing a car into security barriers and launching a knife attack.

There are casualties but police have yet to release details of the incident.

Other Cumbrian MPs have spoken of the terrifying moments after the attack was launched. South Lakes MP Tim Farron, also Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "It's been a bit scary.

"All we know is that somebody crashed into the barriers at the entrance to Parliament and then ran in with a knife and attacked several people.

"I was probably only about 100 yards away, heading off to go in and vote. There were moments of blind panic. We believe that the perpetrator has been shot. I'm currently at the police station, which is a good safe place to be."

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said: "Everybody had started moving across the chamber to vote and as we were going out there was a sudden commotion.

"We've heard that a police officer was knifed.

"We have limited information just now because we are still in the chamber and they've done a lockdown."

South Cumbrian MP John Woodcock took to Twitter to reassure people he and his team are safe.