AVON and Somerset Police have issued an appeal to trace an escaped prisoner who "could be anywhere in the country".

John Elliott, 41, absconded from an open prison on Sunday, October 11, and has not been seen since.

He was serving a three-year sentence at HMP Hatfield, in Doncaster, for burglary.

A spokesman for police in Doncaster said: "Elliott is believed to have links to West Yorkshire, as well as Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

"However, he may have travelled elsewhere in the country and officers are keen to hear from anyone who knows where he is."

Elliott, who may be going by the alias name John Pearson, is described as being of medium build, with greying hair and a beard.

In addition, he has three fingers missing on his left hand, only having his thumb and forefinger.

He has a scar on his right middle finger, as well as scars on his arms. Elliott also has a smiley face tattoo on the top of one of his arms.

If you see Elliott, call 999. If you have information about where he is, or where he has been, call 101 quoting incident number 823 of 11 October 2020.