At least four people have been killed after an armed man ran amok in rural north west England, police said Wednesday, dpa reported.

The man was thought to still be on the run, and police warned all residents to stay indoors and not approach the suspect.

The incident occured in west Cumbria, in and around the towns of Whitehaven, Seascale and Egremont.

No motive for the attacks has yet emerged.