A £1,000 reward has been put up to try and find a wanted burglar who could be in Kent.

Jonathon William King was charged with breaking into a home in July 2013 during which more than £50,000 of antique silverware was stolen.

He was standing trial at court when he was given bail to go to hospital in November after saying he had suffered a fall.

The next day the 43-year-old failed to answer his bail and he was convicted and jailed for eight years in his absence.

Over £1,000 that was seized from him when he was originally arrested was ordered to be paid to the victim as compensation.

A £1,000 reward has now been put up for information that leads to the arrest of King, who has connections in Lewes, Eastbourne, Polegate and Hastings, Tunbridge Wells and also Sittingbourne area of Kent.

Members of the public are being advised not to approach him but to call 999 immediately if they see him.

King is about 6ft tall and of medium but thick set build. He is described as having a fair or ruddy complexion and when last seen he had short cropped light brown hair that is slightly receding.

Chief Inspector Gary Pike, Sussex Police's Wealden district commander, said: "King has a history of committing crime in Wealden so we are determined to find and arrest him as quickly as we can.

"We need the public's help to find him so that he can be arrested and returned to custody to serve his sentence. King's last known address was Southfields in Polegate but we do not know where he is currently.

"If you have any idea where he could be, please contact us. If you see him, do not approach him but instead call 999."

Anyone with information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 567 of 18/11, call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.