A convict who is alleged to have gone on the run for more than 20 years was arrested as he tried to enter the country via the Channel Tunnel.

Michael Ashworth was released on licence from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire in 1995, where he was serving a five-year jail term for drugs offences.

But the 57-year-old went missing with 18 months still to serve, and has been wanted by the police and prison service ever since.

Ashworth, of no fixed address, was stopped by the police trying to enter Kent via the Channel Tunnel at Coquelles in France yesterday.

He was due to appear before Medway magistrates today charged with escaping from lawful custody.