Hampshire Police have launched a large scale search for a man who has escaped from Winchester Prison.

William Todd, aged 37, scaled the wall of the prison in the early hours of Monday morning.

He was serving two life sentences for murder and attempted murder following a conviction at Reading on September 27 this year.

He had been at Winchester Prison since May.

The Hampshire Police spotter plane is being used to search the area around the prison as are officers with dogs. In addition house to house enquiries are being conducted in Greenhill Road, where some discarded clothing was found, and in other streets.

In addition detectives are investigating the circumstances of the escape from the prison.

Todd has been circulated as an escapee and wanted to all other forces as well as to airports and ferry ports.

He is regarded as dangerous and should not be approached by any member of the public. Anyone seeing him should call police immediately on 999.

Todd is described as dark complexion, 5ft 11in tall and with a bullet-shaped face. He also has a three inch burn scar on his inner right forearm.