Hundreds trapped on the London Eye for almost three hours after tourist attraction was placed on lockdown in Westminster attack

HUNDREDS of terrified tourists including over 50 children were trapped inside the London Eye for nearly three hours as Westminster was placed on lockdown following a terror attack.

The attraction had tweeted to say it was keeping visitors inside pods on the South Bank after a knifeman charged at officers outside Parliament and a 4x4 ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge.

The attack is being treated as a "terrorist incident" and police widened the cordon to include the London Eye.

Over 50 school children were among those trapped on board the tourist attraction for nearly three hours as carnage unfolded below.

Upon being released, the riders were taken into a makeshift questioning area where the details of every family and tourist party was taken down.

They were released within the hour.

The London Eye said at the time: "There is an ongoing incident on Westminster Bridge and in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster.

"This is an ongoing incident and, as yet, we cannot provide any firm details as to what has transpired.

"At present we are holding all of our guests within our attractions as per tried and tested security procedures.

"The safety and security of our guests and staff will always be our number one priority.
"We will update as frequently as possible."

Two hours later, the attraction tweeted: "We can confirm that guests are now disembarking the London Eye.

"All guests have now disembarked the London Eye in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Service...

"Who we have been working closely with all afternoon.

"We will always take every precaution to ensure the safety and security of our guests and staff."