A WIRRAL man was among eight arrested in raids across Merseyside this morning.

The 32-year-old, from Moreton, was one of seven men and one woman detained by police in connection with various activities including firearms offences and money laundering.

As part of the operation, carried out by officers from the force's specialist Matrix team, search warrants were executed at addresses in Garston and Liverpool city centre.

Also arrested are a 24-year-old man from Liverpool city centre, a 24-year-old from Garston, a 51-year-old woman from Garston, two 20-year-old men from Garston, a 22-year-old man from Liverpool city centre and a 24-year-old man from Old Swan.

The warrants were executed under the firearms and drugs acts and searches of the properties are ongoing. A large amount of cash has been seized from two of the properties.

Detective Inspector Mark Kameen, said: "We are relentless in our pursuit of those involved in gun crime and will act on all information provided to us in relation to firearms.

"Information from the public is vital for us in the fight against gun crime and I would appeal to anyone who has information about where guns are being stored, or who is using them to call Crimestoppers anonymously."

The seven men and the woman have been taken to police stations across Merseyside where they will be interviewed by detectives.