A hunt has been launched for a Bursledon man who failed to attend court for a rape allegation.

Ryan Timbrell is wanted for failing to attend Southampton Magistrates' Court on February 6. 

He is accused of rape. 

Now police are appealing for help in tracking him down and say he has links to the South Downs and surrounding area. 

It is also possible he may be in the Scottish Highlands and is known to frequent hostels.

READ MORE: Hunt for Southampton man wanted on recall to prison

Timbrell is described as around 5ft 10in tall, white, with a shaven head and he may have a ginger beard.

He has tattoos of flames around his knuckles on his left hand, and the word MIDAS tattooed on his right arm. 

A spokesperson from the police said: "If you have seen him, or have any information regarding his current whereabouts, please do not approach him but contact us on 101, quoting incident number 44170387561.

"Anyone found to be harbouring Timbrell, in order to deliberately obstruct our attempts to locate him, may be committing an offence and be liable for arrest themselves."