DETECTIVES investigating the escape of convicted robber Neil Brennan from a taxi taking him from a Manchester prison to Hope Hospital are appealing for the public's help in tracing him.

Brennan, aged 21, who is serving six years for robbery, was in a taxi with two prison officers when it was stopped by men in a silver 4x4 vehicle outside Forest Bank Prison, at the junction of Forest Bank Road and Agecroft Drive on March 2.

The 4x4 stopped the taxi and the prison officers were threatened with a gun and ordered to free Brennan, who escaped from the vehicle.

Officers have since recovered a vehicle that they believe may have been used in the incident. The silver 54-registered Kia Sorrento was found in Kersall Road, Kersall, on March 3.

Detectives are awaiting the results of forensic examinations that have been carried out on the vehicle, but are appealing to anyone who may have seen a car that matches the description in the 24 hours prior to its discovery, to contact police.

The man driving the silver 4x4 is described as white with blonde hair. He was wearing a hat. His passenger was a white man, approximately 5ft 10ins, of slim build and was wearing a black balaclava.

Police believe Brennan could pose a danger to the public. Anyone with information is asked to contact CID at Salford on 0161 856 5040.