FRANCE is in lockdown following an unpredecented series of shootings across Paris left more than 120 dead in an horrendous terrorist outrage.

The attacks in Paris that killed at least 127 people were an "act of war" organised by the Islamic State (IS) militant group, says France's President Francois Hollande.

Latest reports this morning said a total of 127 were dead and 99 people critically injured in the attacks.

Eight gunmen are believed to have died - most blowing themselves up with suicide belts.

The series of terror attacks took place at a restaurant near the Place de la Republic, outside the State de France during an international friendly football match and at a shopping mall.

Between 80 to 100 people at the Bataclan music hall were killed by two gunmen, who blew themselves up after police stormed the building.

Eyewtinesses suggested the gunmen shouted 'Allah Akbar' - God is Great - as they shot people at random and then reloaded.

The attackers indicated the massacre was an act of 'revenge' for air strikes on Syria.

French president Francois Hollande was taken from the football match to attend emergency meetings, where one of the blasts took place outside an entrance.

He later appeared on national television to declare a state of emergency and the closure of France's borders to ensure the killers cold not escape the country.

Armed police and soldiers roamed streets hunting for accomplices of the killers.

Mr Hollande declared it was not just an attack on the capital, or France, but on 'all the people' of the world.'

The death toll stood at 40 last night, with 60 wounded.

It came on the day that the US and British had the apparent death in a drone strike of the British extremist known as Jihadi John, who was responsible for a series of beheadings, in Syria. Security experts had warned of possible reprisals.

Thousands of Scottish rugby fans and the Glasgow Warriors rugby team are among those trapped in the capital. They had been due to play in a European match against Racing 92 in Paris today.

The club said in a tweet: "Devastating news in Paris this evening. Hope all our supporters are safe. Our thoughts go out to everyone affected."

Officials urged fans who had not left for France not to attempt to travel, adding: "It would appear that French Borders are now closed so we'd advise supporters not to travel. We'll keep you posted when we get further info."

France said airports and railways would continue to operate today.

The latest attacks come just 10 months after 17 people died in shooting at the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo and a siege at a Jewish supermarket.

The attacks began in restaurants in the tenth and eleventh arrondissement of Paris, which are both central in the city.

The gunmen opened fired at Le Petit Cambodge restaurant in the eleventh quarter, near the Place de la Republique.

Bodies of people who had been enjoying a night out could be seen lying in the street, covered by white sheets.

Reports said a gunman opened fire in a bar called Le Carillon, near the Bataclan concert hall, where a metal band were playing, and French Police said 100 people were taken hostage there.

The concert hall had been packed with young music fans attending a concert by a metal band.

There were unconfirmed two young gunmen had been calmly shooting hostages as police were attempting to storm the building.

One police source said there had been 'carnage' inside the building as explosives were thrown at police as they moved in.

Loud explosions could be heard outside the building shortly before midnight UK time and reports suggested the bodies of the gunmen were later removed from the music hall.

Two loud explosions were heard coming from outside the Stade de France in the first-half of the France v Germany friendly.

The blast took place near an entrance to the stadium.

Shocked fans wandered to the middle of the pitch after the final whistle as they were kept inside as a precaution.

There were also reports of another attack at a large outdoor market called Les Halle in the south of the capital.

Police told bars to shut as the hunt went on for killers and a curfew was announced.

Armed police flooded the streets searching for other killers.

Mr Hollande, who has been whisked from the match to attend emergency meetings, said in his TV address: "Dear compatriots, there are ongoing terrorist attacks in the Paris region. It’s a horror. All possible forces are being mobilised.”

He said his first decision was to order a “national state of emergency and close the borders to prevent the culprits from leaving the country.”

Ben Grant, said he was in a bar with his wife when the gunshots were fired and he had seen six or seven bodies on the ground.

He told the BBC: “I was told people in cars had opened fire on the bar.

“There are lots of dead people. It’s pretty horrific.

“I was at the back of the bar. I couldn’t see anything.

“I heard gunshots. People dropped to the ground. We put a table over our heads to protect us.

“We were held up in the bar because there was a pile of bodies in front of us.”

It was reported that French emergency services were on their highest level of alert, with a “Plan Rouge” or Red Plan in response to the significant numbers of victims. “unprecedented terrorist attacks.

US President Barack Obama said in a press conference at the White House that France’s values were shared by his country’s citizens.

He said: “These values go far beyond these acts of terrorism and the hateful vision of those have committed these acts.”

He said he was determined to bring the “terrorists” responsible to justice.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the Paris attacks.

January’s attacks led outpouring of defiance culminating in a huge protest in central Paris, where world leaders joined the public to march for peace.

In June, France launched a terrorism investigation after police found a decapitated body in a gas factory in Lyon.

Two months later three Americans and a Briton were awarded medals for bravery after they overpowered a heavily armed gunman on a train in France.

Mr Hollande later cancelled plans to travel to the G20 summit next week in Turkey. He left the Elysee Palace to travel to one of the attack scenes shortly after midnight.