Police are hunting for a prisoner who has been on the run for a week.

Bernard McDonagh, who is an inmate at HMP Springhill, near Bicester, Buckinghamshire, has links to Brighton and is known to visit the city.

McDonagh absconded from the open prison at around 4pm on Friday, August 30.

Bernard McDonagh has been on the run for a weekBernard McDonagh has been on the run for a week (Image: Thames Valley Police)

Thames Valley Police are appealing to find the 59-year-old and Sussex Police have shared the appeal.

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A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "McDonagh is a white man, around 5 ft 10 ins tall and of medium build with brown hair.

"He is clean-shaven, has blue eyes and speaks with an Irish accent."

McDonagh also has a tattoo of a swallow on his left hand, a tattoo of three dots on his right hand and a scar above his left eye.

Detective Constable Melanie Cannon said: “We are appealing to the public for any information around McDonagh’s whereabouts or anyone who may see him to get in touch.

“We would advise members of the public not to approach him if they see him but call 999 instead.”

Anyone with information that could help the police in their search can call 101 or make a report online under 43240418179, or anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"If you see him do not approach and call 999 quoting 43240418179," the spokesman added.