TWO prisoners including a convicted murderer are being hunted by police after absconding from jail on New Year’s Day.
Matthew Armstrong and Daniel Washbourne escaped from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire, between 5pm and 8pm on January 1.
Both lags have a history of violent offences with Armstrong, 35, convicted of murder.
Cops described him as white, about 5ft 9ins, with ginger hair and scars on his forehead.
Armstrong was convicted in the late 2000s of a murder that occurred during a robbery in Warwickshire.
He was last seen wearing a burgundy and orange coat, grey cap, grey tracksuit suit bottoms with blue on the side, and black boots.
Washbourne, 40, and who has known links to Herefordshire, has been described as white, about 5ft 6ins, slim, with brown hair and clean shaven.
He was last seen wearing a cream fleece, blue tracksuit bottoms, blue hat and black trainers.
He has previous convictions for violence and false imprisonment.
Cops warned members of the public who may spot the prisoners to stay away from them and call 999 right away.
The pair are not originally from Avon and Somerset and have links to various parts of the country.
Police also released CCTV images of the lags in a bid to help capture the escaped prisoners.
The force said urgent actions have already been completed, including circulating them as wanted via national police systems.
A third man who is suspected of absconding at the same time was arrested in Bristol earlier today, said Avon and Somerset Police.
Intelligence work to trace the two remaining lags on the run is now ongoing, said the force.
Addresses have also been searched in the course of the investigation, but these have so far proved fruitless.
Avon and Somerset Police added: “If you see either of the men, pictured, please immediately call 999 and quote reference number 5226000700.
“Alternatively, if you have information that may assist our enquiries, please call 101.”
