A TAUNTON man is on the run, after slipping from police hands at A&E.

David Woolridge, 21, who has distinctive butterfly tattoos, had been due to appear before the courts this morning in relation to drug offences.

He was being held in Melksham, but was taken to Bath Royal United Hospital last night as a medical precaution.

Woolridge ran from officers as he was leaving the A&E department at around 5.40am this morning. He was seen heading in the direction of Coombe Park.

The 21-year-old is white, with tanned skin. He is around 5ft 7inches tall with straight black shoulder length hair, dyed a brassy colour at the ends.

When he absconded he was wearing a long sleeved beige top and skinny jeans. He has several tattoos, including a black butterfly on his spine and a coloured tattoo of a butterfly on his left palm.

Woolridge is said to have links to the Somerset area and Plymouth. He is not believed to be violent.

Anyone who sees him is asked to contact police on 101.