Detectives investigating the prison escape of Shaun Walmsley have issued a £20,000 reward, for information leading to his capture and being returned to prison.

The reward is made up of Walmsley's own money which was seized by officers following his arrest and conviction for the murder of Anthony Duffy.

Walmsley escaped from the custody of three prison guards at about 3.05pm on Tuesday, February 21, this year, following a medical appointment at Aintree University Hospital.

As prison officers and Walmsley were getting in to a car two other men, believed to be in possession of a gun and a knife, threatened the officers and demanded that they release him.

CCTV of the escape

Detective Superintendent Natalie Perischine, said: "We have had a really good response from members of the public around the country following our appeals, but we still need that crucial information about his present whereabouts.

"We have invested significant resources in trying to trace Walmsley to no avail, and we don't think it is right that public money is being used in this way.

"Walmsley and those that released him, had put in a considerable amount of planning to execute his escape and it is only right that we use Walmsley's own money to encourage people to tell us where he is.

“It's a month since Shaun Walmsley escaped from prison custody at Aintree Hospital and we are as determined now, as we were then, to find him and put him back behind bars."

Detectives are advising the public not to approach Walmsley if they see him, as he could be in the company of the others who helped him escape and they are believed to be armed.

Walmsley himself is also described as dangerous.

Officers ask anyone who has seen Walmsley or knows where he is to call police on 999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

As part of the ongoing bid to trace Walmsley, Detective Superintendent Perischine will be on BBC's Crimewatch tonight.