Seven terrorist bomb blasts on London buses and Underground trains have shut down the capital. Reorts indicate that up to 33 people are confirmed killed, and more than a hundred others injured.

A City of London police spokesman said there were "quite a large number of casualties" at Aldgate station, while double-decker buses in Tavistock Place and Russell Square have been ripped apart by bombs.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke has already spoken of "terrible injuries".

Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said: "We are advising members of the public not to travel into London. Public transport in London will be affected in the next few days."

Police initially declared a "major incident" at Aldgate station at 8.50am and reported further explosions in "multiple locations".

Several casualties were taken to hospital after an explosion at Liverpool Street station that emergency services initially thought had been caused by an electrical power surge.

Police are investigating incidents at Edgware Road, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Russell Square, Aldgate East and Moorgate Tube stations.

One Tube passenger said: "People started screaming and there was what appeared to be smoke and soot everywhere. It was all over our clothes and our hands. Nobody knew what was going on.

"People started screaming, everyone felt uncomfortable. Some people started grabbing emergency hammers trying to smash windows and open doors. No one had any idea what was going on."

Tube bosses have suspended the entire network and stations have been evacuated.

The leader of the House of Commons, Geoff Hoon, said government ministers were meeting to clarify the situation.

A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We have just sent some resources out to the scene. We have sent a number of vehicles to Liverpool Street station."

Follow this story directly through Newsquest's London website: Local London.