Chester MP Chris Matheson has said he is 'devastated' by the death of fellow Labour MP Jo Cox who was attacked in Birstall near Leeds today.

Mr Matheson became an MP at the same General Election as Mrs Cox who was elected for the constituency of Batley and Spen in West Yorkshire in May 2015.

Mrs Cox died this afternoon after being shot and stabbed multiple times during an attack near a library in Birstall in West Yorkshire.

Shortly after police announced that Mrs Cox had died as a result of her injuries, Chris Matheson tweeted to say he had been with Mrs Cox and her family just 48 hours ago.

Chris Matheson and Justin Madders

He said: "I was with Jo, Brendan and her children, with a group of friends, just 48 hours ago. There is nothing more I can say right now. Devastated."

There was a similar message from fellow Labour MP Justin Madders of Ellesmere Port and Neston who again was elected to Parliament at the same time as Mrs Cox.

He said: "Devastated, met her family the other night and clear she was a fantastic wife and mother as well as an amazing MP, my thoughts with Brendan and kids."

Tory MP for Eddisbury Antoinette Sandbach said: "So devastated at the loss of Jo Cox. My thoughts and prayers for her family."

And Graham Evans, Tory MP for Weaver Vale, said: "She made her mark in Parliament. A rising star on the Labour benches."

A 52-year-old man has been arrested in the Birstall area, police confirmed, adding they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.