Three people have died after a reported shooting in a small town in New South Wales, Australia, police say.

A fourth person has been taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Local police are now investigating the reported shooting which took place in Lake Cargelligo at about 16:40 local time (05:40 GMT).

Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors as they search for the suspect, who is still at large.

A police statement revealed that emergency services were dispatched to Walker Street near Yelkin Street following reports of the incident.

According to local reports, two women and a man were among those who lost their lives in what is being treated as a suspected domestic violence attack.

Heavily armed tactical police have been deployed in the area as they attempt to locate the gunman, who reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle belonging to the local council.

Lake Cargelligo has a population of approximately 1,500 people, and this incident is particularly poignant following last month's mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives.