Police have issued a plea to find a beer-bellied convicted child sex offender who they say may befriend a family so he can offend has gone missing.

Registered sex offender John Archer Barnett, 62, was jailed for four years after being convicted in 2003 for indecently assaulting an eight-year-old boy.

Kent Police said Barnett, also known as John Owen, was last seen by his landlord on April 14 in Dover and he is now believed to be travelling around the UK.

He left the area after social services intervened following concerns from officers involved in his management that he was becoming too close to a family with children.

A police spokesman said: ''He has failed to notify police of his new address and is now wanted for breach of the notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.''

Barnett has visited areas including London, Blackpool, Brighton, Scarborough, Dartford and Bournemouth and police in Hampshire believe he may be spotted travelling through the county.

The police spokesman added: ''Barnett is considered to pose a risk to children and may befriend a family in order to offend.''

Barnett may have shaved his head and his beard off to disguise his appearance. He is described as white, about 5ft 8in tall, with a beer belly and grey, receding hair and a beard.

He has eagle tattoos on both arms and may be wearing a hearing aid. He is a smoker and drinks whiskey. He also has an eczema-type skin condition which is visible on both forearms and hands.

Police also said he suffered a stroke and one side of his face droops slightly.

Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01227 868 049 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.