Man charged with escaping prison on New Year's Day - as two inmates remain at large

A prisoner has been charged with escaping on New Year's Day, while two others are still at large - including a convicted murderer, police have said.

Aaron Thomas, 39, is back in custody after his arrest in Bristol on Saturday. He is set to appear before magistrates in the city on Monday, charged with escaping lawful custody, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Thomas and two others are believed to have fled HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire between 5pm and 8pm on New Year's Day. Detectives are still attempting to track down Daniel Washbourne, 40, and Matthew Armstrong, 35.

Armstrong was convicted of murdering someone during a robbery in Warwickshire in 2009. Washbourne has previous convictions for offences of false imprisonment and violence against a person, police said.

Police have released footage of the two men walking through a building with their hands in their pockets. In an appeal to the public, the force said on Saturday evening: "The pair are not originally from Avon and Somerset and have links to various parts of the country." Read more from Sky News:More snow warnings issued as cold snap continuesAnthony Joshua shares photo in first public update since car crash Armstrong is described as a white man around 5ft 9ins in height, with ginger hair and scars on his forehead.

"He was last seen wearing a burgundy/orange coat, grey cap, grey tracksuit bottoms with blue on the side, and black boots," the force said, adding he has "known links to Warwickshire". Police described Washbourne as a white male, about 5ft 6ins tall, with brown hair and clean shaven.

He was last seen wearing a cream fleece, blue tracksuit bottoms, a blue hat and black trainers. He has known links to Herefordshire, police said.

HMP Leyhill reported the absconders on Thursday evening and officers arrived at the location at around 9.45pm to begin their investigation. "Urgent actions have already been completed, including circulating the men as wanted via national police systems," Avon and Somerset Constabulary said previously.

"Intelligence work to trace the men's movements is ongoing." Members of the public who believe they have recognised either of the men have been urged not to approach them. They have been asked to call 999 instead, quoting the reference number 5226000700.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "Absconding is a serious criminal offence, and any prisoner who commits this crime could face longer behind bars.".