The armed man, who took dozens of children hostage at a Texas day care centre, has released his last two captives and surrendered.

Plano Police spokesman Tommy Ruiz describes the end of the seige (54")

Police said that the gunman, identified by relatives as James Monroe Lipscomb Jr, had become increasingly tired.

After more than 24 hours, Mr Monroe set free his five-year-old son Monroe and seven-year-old stepson Xavier and then gave himself up.

The hostage-taker's five-year-old son, Monroe

The children were seen being taken away by police and put in a van. Family members wept with joy and hugged each other.

The gunman initially seized about 60 toddlers and children and five adults at the Rigsbee Child Development Center on Wednesday afternoon.

Xavier, Mr Lipscomb's seven-year-old stepson

He released all but three of the children on Wednesday evening and freed his two-year-old god-daughter as well as the last adult captive on Thursday morning.

Negotiations, which police said had been calm and steady, broke down after Mr Lipscomb freed his goddaughter.

Police said the gunman was angry about the live television coverage of her release.

Mr Lipscomb is in police custody. A police spokesman was unable to confirm what charges would be brought against him.
 

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