A CONVICTED sex offender is feared to be on the run in Blackburn or Darwen.

Police and probation officers in Yorkshire and Lancashire have launched a hunt for the 40-year-old man, said to be a danger to young boys.

Craig Preece was last seen in West Yorkshire on Friday after fleeing a hostel at 9.55pm. He was on license for good behaviour but that was revoked when he went missing.

A spokesperson for the police said: "We launched an urgent appeal to trace this potentially dangerous offender. We have made extensive inquiries but he is still at large.

"He should not be approached by the public. He is a convicted sex offender who presents a danger, particularly to young boys."

He is 5ft 6ins, of slim build, with short, brown, receding hair. He wears steel-rimmed glasses and was last seen wearing a three-quarter length fawn coat, grey sweatshirt, blue jeans and grey blue trainers. He was also walking with a limp due to a back problem

Anyone who sees Preece, or anyone fitting his description, should call police on 999. He is thought to have fled to Lancashire, in particular in Blackburn with Darwen, Lancaster or Morecambe, where he has connections.