Police are searching for a convicted burglar, formerly of Cornwall, who has escaped from a South Gloucestershire prison.

Gary Cooper, who lived in Newquay, Truro, and St Austell before being jailed for four years at Truro Crown Court, was found to be missing from HMP Leyhill at the midday roll call on Monday 22 September.

He was transferred to the open prison in June 2014 ahead of his planned release in February 2015.

The 53-year-old is described as white, about 5ft 11ins tall, with grey hair and blue eyes. He has a scar on his forehead and tattoos on his arms of a dagger and a rose, a dagger and a snake, and a mermaid.

Avon and Somerset Police neighbourhoods manager Inspector Bob Evely said: “We would ask any member of the public who sees him to call us immediately on 999. Anyone with any other information which could help us trace him is asked to contact us online at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact or call 101 quoting the reference 98472/14.”