TWO unarmed female police officers were killed while attending a routine incident today which led to the arrest of one of the country's most wanted men.

Dale Cregan gave himself up to police soon after the incident, in Hattersley, Greater Manchester Police said.

Cregan, 29, was being hunted in connection with separate gun and grenade attacks that killed a father and son.

One of the officers died at the scene. The second was critically injured and died afterwards.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, said: "A long and dark shadow has been cast across Greater Manchester and my thoughts are with the officers family, friends and colleagues.

"We will be doing everything we can to support them over the coming days and weeks."

Cregan had been the subject of a huge manhunt after the murders of David Short, 46, and his son Mark, 23.

A £50,000 reward had been offered for information leading to the arrest of one-eyed Cregan.

David Short was killed at his home in Folkestone Road East, Clayton, Manchester, on August 10, while Mark was gunned down at the Cotton Tree pub in nearby Droylsden, on May 25.

A gunman walked into the pub and fired shots which injured three other men.

A post-mortem examination showed Mark Short died from a gunshot wound to the neck.