A "potentially dangerous" murderer who has escaped from a north London prison previously lived in Streatham while on parole.

Police have appealed for help tracing John Massey after the life-sentence prisoner escaped from Pentonville Prison in Islington at around 6.30pm yesterday.

The 64-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a man at a pub in Hackney, East London, in 1975.

In 2007, he was released on parole and lived in a Streatham bail hostel under curfew.

He was later recalled to prison and had been serving at Pentonville.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "At approximately 6.30pm on Wednesday 27 June a prisoner was found to be missing from HMP Pentonville.

"Police were immediately informed and the matter will be the subject of a thorough investigation."

Members of the public not to approach the "potentially dangerous" offender and instead call 999 if he is spotted.

A police spokesman said: "Police are appealing for help in tracing a convicted murderer who has escaped from HMP Pentonville.

"He is considered potentially dangerous and should not be approached by the public if he is seen."

Anyone with information of Massey's whereabouts should contact Islington Police on 020 7421 0296, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.