HEXHAM MP Guy Opperman is currently in lock down in central London following a terror alert near the Houses of Parliament.

A police officer was stabbed at Parliament and the assailant shot this afternoon.

Mr Opperman said he is in the central lobby of the House of Commons, along with many other members of Parliament, as the building was put in lock down following the incident.

Speaking from inside the building, Mr Opperman said: "There is some very disturbing news outside and there are an awful lot of police.

"I am in the central lobby of the House of Commons and there has obviously been fatalities.

"I am here along with many other members of Parliament in central London.

"There are many police officers and special forces trying to check there are no further people in the building.

"There is quite clearly one assailant behind this and quite possibly two.

"There has clearly been some sort of terrorist attack.

"It was an attack and a police officer has been stabbed."

He took to Twitter to let people know he and his staff are safe, and credited the "amazing job" police and security are doing.

County councillor for Hexham East, Cath Homer, has also taken to social media to share her concern over the incident.

She wrote on Facebook: "Awful scenes from Westminster. Thoughts with all caught up in this."