Police say at least 31 people have been killed in a gun and knife attack by a former police officer at a pre-school child daycare centre in Thailand,

A manhunt was launched after the attack in the north-east of the country.

The attacker shot and stabbed children and adults and is now on the run, police said. A motive for the attack is unclear.

Reports in Thailand say the officer had recently been dismissed.

A senior police officer said 23 children were among the casualties.

Mass shootings in Thailand are rare, but in 2020 a soldier killed 21 people and injured dozens.