by Helen Fairley

A former aide to the Duchess of York who was jailed after murdering her boyfriend has escaped from a Kent prison.

Police have issued an appeal for help in the search for Jane Andrews was last seen yesterday evening at 7pm at East Sutton Park Prison, near Maidstone, where she is serving a life sentence.

A spokesman described the 40-year-old as "vulnerable", with a fair complexion, very long straight brown hair and of slim build.

When she was last seen Andrews was wearing a long sleeved black and white striped top, black jeans and a black body warmer and black sketcher trainers.

A Kent Police spokesperson said: "We are working with the prison service to locate this vulnerable lady."

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact police in Mid Kent on 01622 690055 or Missing People on 0500 700700.

Andrews was jailed for a minimum of 12 years in 2001 after killing boyfriend Thomas Cressman, by beating him with a cricket bat before stabbing him with a kitchen knife, when he refused to marry her.