A serving prisoner has absconded from a Buckinghamshire jail.

Patrick Hatter was discovered missing from Springhill open prison in Grendon Underwood yesterday morning, having escaped overnight.

His disappearance has sparked a police appeal to the public to find him so he can be brought back to prison.

Hatter, 34, is described as white, around 5ft 11ins tall, skinny with a muscular build, has brown hair, brown eyes, is clean shaven and speaks with a London/Milton Keynes accent.

Det Insp Mark Baxter of Aylesbury Force CID said: "We are keen to speak to anyone who may know the whereabouts of this man and can provide us with information about his movements.

"I would advise anyone who sees him, not approach him directly but to call police immediately. Thames Valley Police is currently working together with HM Prison Service to ensure the return of Hatter to lawful custody.

"He has links in the Milton Keynes area and we expect he might have travelled to that part of the Thames Valley.

"I would like also like to remind people that it is a criminal offence to harbour an absconded prisoner and anyone found doing so is also risking arrest."

Anyone with information about Hatter's location should contact Thames Valley Police on 101, or call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.