A manhunt is underway after an inmate escaped from a Buckinghamshire prison on Thursday evening.

Mark Merchant, 40, absconded from HMP Springhill in Aylesbury around 9.20pm on Thursday, May 4.

He is known to frequent Northampton and the Croydon area of London.

Merchant is white, of a slim build, around 6ft 3ins tall, with short brown hair, blue eyes and has a scar on his forehead above his left eye. He has a Northamptonshire accent.

When he was last seen he was wearing a grey jumper, black Adidas jogging bottoms with three stripes down the side and white Nike trainers.

Investigating officer Det Con Rachel Huggins of Local CID based at Aylesbury police station said: "We are carrying out a thorough investigation to find Mark Merchant and as part of this investigation we are appealing to the public to come forward with any information they have.

"If you know where Merchant is or if you see him please call police on 999. We do not believe Merchant poses a threat to the public, however please do not approach him instead contact police immediately.”

Anyone who sees Merchant or knows where he is asked to dial 999. Anyone with any other information in connection with his disappearance should call 101 quoting the reference number 19 05/05.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.