Who is escaped prisoner and how did he get away?

A huge manhunt is continuing after a prisoner escaped from a prison van after faking a medical emergency.

Jamie Cooper went on the run in Lancashire by leaping from the back of a GEOAmey van that had pulled over on the M55 near Preston.

As a nationwide search continues, here is what is known about the case so far.

Jamie Cooper was being escorted to Lancaster Magistrates' Court in a GEOAmey-owned prison van when he fought his way free at about 08:50 GMT on Wednesday, Lancashire Police said.

A spokesperson for GEOAmey said the prisoner had managed to "overpower" officers after faking an "on-board medical emergency".

The van was forced to pull over to deal with the situation.

This happened at Junction 2 of the M55 near Catforth, Preston.

"The detained person involved in this emergency then overpowered and evaded the escort officers and escaped from the vehicle," they said.

"Lancashire Police have been informed and are currently searching for the escaped prisoner."

Jamie Cooper is 33 years old and originally from Blackpool.

Lancashire Police said he also had links to Bolton in Greater Manchester.

He is about 5ft 7in tall (1.7m) and has a medium build with short, cropped hair.

At the time he escaped he was wearing a blue coat, blue jeans and black trainers.

Mr Cooper was due to appear before magistrates in Lancaster to face charges of assaulting a police officer and criminal damage.

Lancashire Police said the last confirmed sighting of Mr Cooper was in the early hours of Thursday morning in Blackpool.

There were also sightings of him in Preston and in Bolton on Wednesday afternoon, the day he escaped.

Detectives warned the public not to approach Mr Cooper if they saw him and instead call 999.

The force said it wanted to reassure people who might find it "concerning" to hear about a prisoner escaping custody.

"Incidents like these are extremely rare in Lancashire and it is something we are taking incredibly seriously," a spokesperson said.

Detectives said searches were ongoing as an investigation continued into what had happened.

Members of the public would see "an increase in our officers in the area", the force said.

Anyone with information about Mr Cooper's whereabouts is urged to come forward.

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