One woman has been stabbed to death and another injured in a knife attack in east London.

A murder investigation has been launched and police are searching for a man believed to be known to the two women.

Officers found the women with stab wounds at a house in Newham at about 3.35am on Sunday, the Metropolitan Police said.

One of the women, in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other, who is in her 30s, was taken to hospital.

The second woman’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

No further details about the man have been released.

Chief Inspector Lisa Parker, of the Met’s North East BCU, said that her force’s “thoughts and sympathies” were with the women and their loved ones.

She added: “I know that people in Newham and in particular those in the Stratford area will be shocked and concerned by this tragic incident. I share their concern and can assure them that specialist detectives are working at pace to identify and arrest whoever was responsible.”