It has been revealed six inmates in a Tennessee prison managed to escape on Christmas morning - through a hole behind a toilet.

The escape happened at Cocke County Jail Annex.

Authorities say the prisoners broke through the concrete after removing the loo.

In a statement quoted by WVLT, the local sheriff said: "The inmates escaped after a water leak occurred behind a wall unit stainless steel toilet. Apparently the bolts holding the unit rusted out and there was prior damage to the concrete due to plumbing repairs.

"The inmates vandalised the lavatory removing it from the wall and gained access to a hole which led outside of the facility."

Five of the inmates have since been captured, although one remains on the run.