Cregan was being sought over separate gun and grenade attacks that killed father and son David and Mark Short.

One of the officers died at the scene in Hattersley, police said. The second was critically injured and died afterwards.

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.

Home Secretary Theresa May said the killings were "a terrible reminder of the risks that police officers face every day to keep our communities safe".

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "We should pay tribute to the bravery of the two officers today who have given so much in their work to keep us safe, and our thoughts are also with their friends and colleagues in Greater Manchester Police. This is a tragedy that will be felt throughout the country."

"Whenever police officers and staff lose a colleague that loss is felt right across the police family. The thoughts of everyone in policing are with colleagues in Greater Manchester Police, family and friends of the two officers at this time."

Police said there were reports that shots were fired and the two officers suffered serious injuries.

A fleet of vans and ambulances are parked at the top of the road and a police helicopter is hovering overhead.

She said: "He (her ex-boyfriend) was a bit shook up when I saw him."
She said he was walking back from the doctor's when he heard someone he knew shout to him, adding: "Then someone has come outside the house ... and shot two officers and then he threw a grenade in the garden. He (her ex-boyfriend) said the officers hit the floor."

"These extremely courageous officers have sadly paid the ultimate price for their selfless actions and no words can express our regret nor comfort to their families. The entire police service throughout the UK mourn their loss...

Derek Barnett, President of the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales, said: "Today once again we have seen how police officers pay the ultimate price in losing their lives to protect the public...

"At the beginning of their tour of duty these two officers would have had no idea what lay ahead of them. I'm sure few words will offer true comfort to the families, colleagues and friends at such a difficult time, but our thoughts and prayers are with them."

He said: "I just heard gun shots, bang, bang, bang - around ten of them, then a pause and a big explosion. I went around the back of the houses to see what happened and there was a police car that looked empty. There was people, neighbours stood around there and one of my customers said, 'They've been shot! The police officers have been shot!'"

The property, a council house, had been left empty but there had been some recent activity, with the windows covered in whitewash suggesting the house was being decorated.