POLICE tonight warned the public not to approach two prisoners who are believed to be on the run in the North-East after escaping from a jail in Yorkshire.

Barry John Henry Lynn, 35, from the Scotswood area of Newcastle and Michael Forster, 41, from the Gateshead area, were reported to Northumbria Police as having escaped from Hatfield Prison, near Doncaster, at 1.06pm this afternoon.

Northumbria Police released a statement tonight confirming its officers are searching for the escapees, along with officers from South Yorkshire.

They are thought to be in a new shape blue Vauxhall Astra.

The police statement said: "There is a possibility that the men may be in the North-East and enquiries are ongoing to locate them.

"The public are urged not to approach the men but to contact police on 101 with any information as to there whereabouts.

"Anyone who sees the men is asked to contact officers using 999."