Vincent Saywell was serving a sentence for murder

A murderer is on the run after going missing from a Kent prison.

Vincent Saywell was on temporary release from Blantyre House open prison, in Goudhurst, when he went missing.

The 54-year-old had been let out to work in Maidstone on Wednesday - but failed to return to the jail.

Now Kent Police are appealing for help in tracking down Saywell, who was last known to have been in the town centre at about 6pm.

The Ministry of Justice refused to reveal details of Saywell's crime.

He is described as white, of medium build, 6ft with blue eyes and grey short cropped hair.

Saywell is said to have a southern accent and was last seen wearing black-rimmed glasses.

In June, two inmates went missing from Blantyre House in just a fortnight.

Raymond Atkins, 39, had been allowed home for family reasons, but did not stay at an agreed bail hostel on Saturday, June 30.

Just two weeks earlier, a murderer who stabbed a teacher to death was on the run for three days after escaping from Blantyre House.

Jamie Frater, 38, failed to return following work at a charity shop in Headcorn.

He had been convicted in 1993 for murdering 45-year-old Geoffrey du Rose and jailed for life.

Anyone who has seen Saywell or has information about where he is should phone Kent Police on 101 or 999.