POLICE are warning the public not to approach a convicted murderer who has escaped from a North-East prison and who poses a "significant risk of harm".

Craig Hendley, 42, was last seen at about 1.40pm yesterday whilst on day release from Kirklevington Grange Prison with the Salvation Army in Redcar.

He is serving a sentence for murder, having previously spent 20 years in various prisons.

In October 2012 he was transferred to Kirklevington.

He is described as 5ft 6in tall, medium build, clean shaven and has a shaven head. He has blue eyes and a fair complexion.

He also has numerous tattoos on his body and one on each side of his neck – one reads “Kidd”, which is his nickname, and he also has a star on his right cheek. He has also been known to use the alias Paul Craig Brown.

Hendley had a provisional target review date of review for release in October and had been transferred to Kirklevington Grange Prison on the recommendation of the Parole Board as part of planning to prepare him for release.

HMP Kirklevington Grange is a resettlement prison with a regime for long term prisoners with resettlement needs.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "Hendley was serving a sentence for an offence which was primarily targeted at a specific individual known to him.

"He currently poses a significant risk of harm clearly has the capacity to commit violent offences.

"Investigations have been undertaken throughout the last 24 hours focusing on Hendley’s family and associates.

"Cleveland Police would appeal to Craig Hendley directly to hand himself in, as his conduct will be taken into account in future Parole Board hearings."

Hendley has links to the West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire areas and police are warning members of the public not to approach him but to contact 999 immediately.