A PRISONER from Great Harwood who escaped from Accrington police station didn't need to hatch an elaborate plot -- he just walked out through an open gate.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Raymond Birtwistle, 24, who has been stuck in a cell for hours, "saw the light," walked through the gate and went to see his mother to say his fond farewells.

Birtwistle, of Clayton Street, Great Harwood, admitted escape. Judge Raymond Bennett told Birtwistle, who he said was "quite familiar with the courts," even if he had walked through an open door, he was a prisoner and had known what he was doing.

The defendant was given a two months sentence to run consecutively to one he is currently serving.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said in September, the defendant had been detained at the police station and was due to appear before the magistrates the next day.

During the morning, he was allowed to take some exercise in the yard next to the custody office and in the next five minutes somehow got out.

The escape was not violent but when officers returned to the yard minutes later, Birtwistle was gone.

Mr Lamberty said Birtwistle was at large for five days and was later arrested at an address in the town. He told officers he had been refused a cigarette and it had just got to his head.

Anthony Cross, defending, said temptation had been placed in Birtwistle's way. A gate had been left open to the outside world, he saw the light and walked through it.