Police today warned the public that a mental health patient who escaped from a hospital ward may be heading for Brighton.

Christopher Saddler, 38, who is also known as Christopher Peters and has a history of violence, gave staff the slip at Edinburgh Royal Hospital yesterday.

Lothian and Borders Police said he could be dangerous if approached by the public.

Saddler originally ran off from a mental hospital in Inverness but was detained in Edinburgh.

He was being kept at Royal Edinburgh Hospital and was due to be returned north when he absconded again.

It is thought he might try to return to his home town of Brighton. Police said he has often travelled extensively in the past without money using trains, and was known to beg for cash.

A police spokeswoman said: "We are concerned that without his medication he will become aggressive.

"We want to warn the public not to approach him if they think they see him. Instead they should contact police immediately."

Saddler is described as Afro-Caribbean, 5ft 11in tall and stockily built with black cropped hair and brown eyes. He has a southern English accent.

When he disappeared he was wearing a three quarter-length leather jacket, blue jeans and black boots.

Anyone with information should call the police.