Police are appealing to the public for help in tracing two prisoners who have escaped from Hollesley Bay prison, in Suffolk, one of which has connections to St Neots.

41-year-old Matthew Wilsdon, who is thought to have connections to the St Neots area , was reported missing to police at around 4:45pm yesterday, along with 25 year-old Richard Smith.

It is not known whether the men absconded together, but both men have a connection to Cambridgeshire.

Wilsdon is serving a seven years and six months sentence for robbery and assault.

He is described as white, five feet 11 inches tall, with blue eyes, brown hair and weighs around 13.5 stone. He has a tribal tattoo on his right arm.

Smith is serving a one year and 11 months sentence for theft, burglary and assault.

He is described as white, six feet tall, with blue eyes, blonde hair and is of slight build, weighing around 10.5 stone. He has a tattoo on his lower right arm and a scar on the right side of his face.

Police are urging members of the not to approach the men.

Anyone who believes they may have seen Matthew Wilsdon or Richard Smith, or who has any information regarding their whereabouts, is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting Cad 262 of Tuesday 15 May.