Police are searching for a man who escaped from a prison in Aylesbury last week – and asking members of the public not to approach him if sighted.

Bernard McDonagh escaped from HMP Springhill in Aylesbury at around 4pm on Friday, August 30.

The 59-year-old is described as a white man, around 5 ft 10 ins tall and of medium build with brown hair.

He is reportedly clean-shaven, has blue eyes and speaks with an Irish accent.

McDonagh, who is known to frequent the Brighton area, also has a tattoo of a swallow on his left hand, a tattoo of three dots on his right hand and a scar above his left eye.

Detective Constable Melanie Cannon said: “We are appealing to the public for any information around McDonagh’s whereabouts or anyone who may see him to get in touch.

“We would advise members of the public not to approach him if they see him but call 999 instead.”

Anyone with information that could help the police in their search can call 101 or make a report online under 43240418179, or anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.