A massive fire has engulfed a town hall in Merseyside, with smoke visible for miles and people urged to close their windows and avoid the area.

Dramatic pictures show Maghull Town Hall ablaze, as fire crews from across Merseyside are at the scene.

The fire started at approximately 11:55am with as many as 10 fire engines racing to battle flames shortly after.

Members of the public have been told to avoid the area while emergency services work to put the fire out. There are no reports of casualties.

A bystander reported witnessing the event, sharing on X: "Just drove past The Meadows and Maghull Town Hall is on fire. Police stopping the traffic. Maghull is at a standstill."

Official comments from Merseyside Fire and Rescue told : "Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are in attendance at an incident on Hall Lane, Maghull. Crews were alerted at 11.55 and on scene at 12.09, with ten fire engines and two aerial appliances at scene."

They added: "This is the roof space to a three storey building Maghull Town Hall, well alight. The incident has been sectorised with firefighters with two main branches fighting the blaze externally in sectors one and two.

"Water supplies have been secured and the aerial appliance is being set up in sector three. Merseyside Police are also in attendance maintaining cordons. This is an ongoing incident, please avoid the area."

A spokesperson for Sefton Council added: "We are aware of a fire which has broken out at Maghull Town Hall.

"Meadows Leisure Centre has been safely evacuated and we would like to thank our incredible staff for acting swiftly and responsibly to keep our members safe.

"We are supporting Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service at this time and a number of road closures are in place to help emergency services carry out their roles safely and effectively.

"We urge everyone to avoid the area and nearby residents are advised to keep their windows and doors secured to protect themselves from the smoke."

A statement issued by the leisure centre said: "As previously mentioned this incident has been sectorised, currently in sector one there are three hose reel jets and one aerial appliance in use fighting the fire externally.

"Sector two one hose reel jet and one main branch, and in sector three, one hose reel jet currently creating a fire break between the town hall and meadows health centre.

"This is an ongoing incident, please avoid the area."