A 'VIOLENT' man is on the run, police said.

James Butterworth (above) failed to attend his bail hostel in Bury on Wednesday following his release from prison after serving a sentence for threatening door staff, with a knife, at a Blackburn bar in March.

Sgt Paul Watterson said the 34-year-old, from Blackburn, should not be approached and people should contact the police immediately if they see him.

He said: “Butterworth has a history of violence having been convicted for a number of assaults in the past.

“Our priority is to find Butterworth and so we need anyone who may have seen him or knows of his whereabouts to speak to us as soon as possible.”

“I would urge Butterworth himself to attend a local police station before he makes matters worse for himself.”

He is described as 5ft 11ins, of medium build, with blue eyes and short dark brown hair and has connections to Rishton and Accrington.

Call the police on 101.