Scene of a suspected gang attack inMonterrey
Scene of a suspected gang attack in Garcia, near Monterrey, Mexico on June 20 Reuters

Ten people have been killed by gunmen in an attack on a beer distribution centre in Monterrey, northern Mexico.

A number of men arrived at the centre at 3pm local time in two vehicles, demanded money from workers, then began shooting, a state official told AP on condition of anonymity.

"Seven died at the scene of the attack and three more in hospital," Nuevo Leon State Attorney General Javier Flores said, with all killed believed to be employees of the plant.

The gunmen stripped seven of those they killed of clothing, fleeing with 10,000 pesos in cash (£410).

Flores told reporters that the attack may been the result of a dispute between gang members.

He said that guns, ammunition and packets of marijuana were found at the distribution centre in Garcia, to the northwest of Monterrey, in Nuevo Leon state.

The beer distribution centre was known to be part of the Zeta cartel's trafficking operations, said state officials.

Monterrey is associated with the Zetas, with the gang believed to be responsible for crimes including an attack on a casino in 2010 in which 52 people were killed. In 2012, 49 headless bodies were dumped at an arch marking the entrance to a town near Monterrey.

Figures show a decline in homicide rates in the state in recent years though.