AN international search has been launched for a hit-and-run driver who has fled an open prison.

Dominic Huggett, from Thornaby, Teesside, who killed an elderly grandmother and maimed two members of her family, is thought to be in Spain.

Police yesterday said that Huggett was on the run after fleeing an open prison in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, nine months after being jailed for seven-and-a- half years.

In January, the 35-year-old was convicted of causing the death of pensioner Betty Cooper.

The crash also left the 86-year-old woman's son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Patricia Cooper, with lifelong disabilities.

Speaking from their home, Mr and Mrs Cooper told of their disbelief at the news that Huggett was no longer behind bars.

"It's absolutely disgusting - this is the second time he has been on the run," said Mr Cooper.

"The first we knew about it was from a letter from the Victim Support Service we received last Friday, and a police officer came round the next day.

"We've been told that if he is caught his sentence will only be extended probably by a couple of days."

The couple's daughter, Nicola, said: "Interpol are onto it now but we've been told he's been on the run for about a fortnight."

HM Prison Service confirmed that Huggett, along with a fellow inmate from Newcastle, who was serving a sentence for handling stolen goods, went missing on September 14.

"They were found to be missing at the noon tally but I have no details to say that they were on day release," said a spokeswoman for the service.

Detective Inspector Paul Beddow, of Cleveland Police, appealed for information on Huggett's whereabouts.