Police have appealed for a prisoner who is on the run to hand himself in.

David McCord, who is serving a life sentence for murder, was in the custody of prison staff at a property on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast on Friday.

The 54-year-old was last seen on the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast at about 16:30 BST and was wearing a green jacket, black tracksuit bottoms, and was carrying a red carrier bag.

The Prison Service said McCord escaped from a facility where prisoners nearing the end of their sentences work out from.

McCord was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2004 for the murder of his girlfriend, 26-year-old Nichola Dickson, in Ballycarry.

Police are appealing to anyone who has seen him or who knows of his whereabouts not to approach him, but to contact 101, and quote reference number 607 of 16/08/24.

Members of the public can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.