Police are hunting a convicted murderer who has absconded from an open prison.

Craig Black, who was jailed for life in 1995, left HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire yesterday.

He had only been transferred to the prison this month.

Avon and Somerset Police are warning the public not to approach Black.

"He was last seen at 4.45pm on Monday afternoon," a spokesman said yesterday.

"There was a further check at 8.30pm when it was discovered that he was missing."

Police said Black has links with Marlborough, Wiltshire and Birmingham.

"We are keen to trace him and would urge anyone spotting him to contact us on 999," the spokesman said.

"We would urge members of the public not to approach Craig Black."

Black, formerly of Homefields, Marlborough, was jailed for life at Bristol Crown Court in July 1995 after a jury convicted him of murdering 22-year-old Perry Shiels, a radio operator who served on the royal yacht, HMS Britannia.

Mr Shiels, from Birmingham, was a popular figure beloved by his family, whose death still hangs over his loved ones despite the passage of time, the High Court was told.

He suffered devastating brain damage when the back of his skull struck a brick wall as he was punched by Black, then aged 21.

Black's co-accused, Michael Trotman, was cleared of murder over the August 1994 attack, but convicted of manslaughter for which he received a five-year term.

Mr Shiels had been out drinking with friends in Marlborough on the night of his death, and was attacked by the duo after walking alone at midnight down Figgins Lane.

The trial judge concluded that Black had twice struck Mr Shiels, with the second punch ramming the sailor's head back against the wall. He struck out with an intention to cause really serious harm.