Police are hunting a convicted rapist who escaped from an open prison.

Michael Louis Purcell was last seen on Tuesday morning when officers at Leyhill Prison conducted a roll call at 0700 BST.

The 40-year-old absconded between then and Tuesday evening and police have asked the public to keep a look out for him.

He is described white, six-feet tall and of medium build, with short brown receding hair.

Third escape

Purcell was convicted of two counts of rape in the Thames Valley area in 1982.

Avon and Somerset Police, leading the hunt for the escapee, said he is known to have contacts in Reading and Wokingham in Berkshire.

Purcell is the third man to flee Leyhill this year after two killers escaped in January.

One of those, Peter Young, was eventually caught after two days on the run.

His fellow escapee, Elfred Smart, returned to the prison of his own accord 24 hours later.

Leyhill was also criticised by prison inspectors this year for failing to properly prepare inmates for release.