A prisoner on the run for more than 20 years is back behind bars after being caught at the Channel Tunnel.

Michael Ashworth had evaded police since he absconded from prison in 1995 but was arrested by police as he tried to get back into the UK.

The 57-year-old is now back in prison after appearing in court today.

Ashworth went missing while serving a five-year sentence after being released on licence for a weekend 22 years ago.

The convict, who was serving his sentence at HMP Sudbury open prison in Derbyshire, has been sent back to prison to see out the remaining 18 months of his stretch.

He was stopped by officers at the Channel Tunnel entrance in France yesterday.

He was charged with escaping from lawful custody but it was withdrawn by Medway Magistrates Court.

Ashworth, of no fixed address, was convicted of drug offences and has been wanted by the police and prison service since his disappearance in April 1995.