French police are on a manhunt for the killers of four people shot dead near a lake in south eastern France.

The four were killed late Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning, with the bodies of three of those killed found inside a British-registered BMW.

An unharmed child was also later found hiding in the vehicle in a carpark near picturesque Lake Annecy.

A fourth body, in cycling gear, was discovered nearby, while another eight-year old with serious injuries was airlifted to hospital.

Forensic teams at the crime scene have found 15 spent bullet shells.

On Thursday, police searched the campsite where they believe some of those killed were staying.