POLICE searching for an escaped prisoner believed to be in Dorset say he still hasn't been found.

Ashley Tessyman, 30, absconded from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire, where he was serving a prison sentence for burglary and robbery, on Monday, July 21.

Police yesterday issued a picture of Tessyman and are appealing for information about his whereabouts.

On Saturday morning they confirmed the search was ongoing.

Detective sergeant John O'Hara said: “We have information to suggest that he is in the Dorset area and are trying to locate him.

“I am appealing for anyone who knows of the whereabouts of Ashley Tessyman to come forward - all calls will be treated with the strictest confidence.

“I urge members of the public who see anyone they believe to be the person pictured to call the police. In the interest of personal safety do not confront him.”

He is white, around 1.66m tall and of slim build. He has fair short hair, blue eyes and tattoos on his left arm.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Tessyman should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 22:83.