TWO escaped prisoners were back behind bars last night after being recaptured by police.

A police helicopter was used to track down the fugitives, who had been on the run for four hours after escaping from a working party.

The pair, exhausted and soaking wet after fording the River Tees in their escape bid, were cornered as they crossed farmland near the County Durham village of Cotherstone.

The helicopter landed only yards away from the escapees and officers on board were able to recapture them.

Both prisoners, one from Teesside and one from Weardale, had been allowed out of Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, near Barnard Castle, under supervision for gardening duties.

The two, both aged 21, are serving time for burglary and motoring offences and one was due for release in April.

One of the officers who tackled the pair, PC Andy Bond, said: "I got the impression that the pair wanted to stop and, although they were obviously on the run, they were willing to give themselves up.

"The pair had just crossed the river and were both dripping wet - and I think they would have struggled to get through the night in the state we found them in."

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "This is an example of how important air support is in these circumstances.

"The helicopter landed just 25 yards from the two inmates and all the officers involved in their capture should be applauded."

Staff at Deerbolt, where the two inmates were serving sentences for 44 months and 15 months, said both had been thoroughly risk assessed before they were allowed on the working party.

Principal Officer Tony Galley said: "One of the inmates had been on the working party for some weeks, and the other was on his first working party, but both had been risk assessed. Neither will be allowed on another working party and they are now facing extended sentences."