A VIOLENT man wanted by prison authorities has gone missing.

Police are appealing for information to trace 22-year-old Adam Ripley.

"He is from the Skelton area of Redcar and police believe some people living in East Cleveland may know of his whereabouts. He is known to be violent and members of the public are asked not to approach him," said a spokeswoman for Cleveland Police.

He is described as white with short brown hair, brown eyes and is around 6ft tall.

"Officers continue to carry out proactive work to find him. Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police on the non - emergency number 101," the spokeswoman said.