Serial arsonist David Blagdon, jailed for life for setting fire to an Oxford church, has escaped from an open prison.

Police have launched a major search for 47-year-old Blagdon, who was serving his sentence at Leyhill Open Prison in Gloucestershire.

He escaped on Tuesday while part of a working party from the prison doing gardening at East Woodlands, Marshfield, near Bristol.

There was one prison officer supervising the group of seven. A search was made of the immediate area but Blagdon - who lived at Kingston Lisle, near Wantage, before he was jailed - could not be found.

In November 1978, Recorder Young sentenced Blagdon to life imprisonment at Oxford Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to arson at St Laurence's Church in South Hinksey. Thames Valley Police have been alerted in case he returns to Oxfordshire.

Governors at the category D jail, where prisoners are not considered a danger to the public, have launched an investigation into Blagdon's appearance. Prison service spokesman Gavin Bostock said: "Mr Blagdon was doing environmental work when he managed to slip away. "He had undergone risk assessment before he was allowed out to perform these duties. He was a low-risk, category D prisoner.

"He was put in a position of trust and abused that trust. He escaped in a remote place and prison staff searched the immediate area after he left but found nothing.

"Leyhill is an open prison but when Mr Blagdon is recaptured he will be sent to a closed prison."

Blagdon has campaigned for release for some years, claiming he has served longer than many killers. He moved to Leyhill three months ago.

He is white, 5ft 8in tall, and of stocky build with receding brown hair. He is clean-shaven, has a Midlands accent - he originally came from Leicester - and a tattoo on each arm.

On his right forearm he has a heart-shaped tattoo and on his left there is a dagger and skull. He was wearing jeans, a blue T-shirt, a green body-warmer and brown boots at the time he escaped.

Avon and Somerset Police have appealed for anyone who spots Blagdon to telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Spokesman Jenny Bigwood said: "He is not considered a danger but anyone who sees him is advised not to approach him and should contact the police immediately."

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