Greece's most notorious criminal is on the run from jail after an audacious Hollywood-style helicopter getaway - for a second time.

Three years ago, Vassilis Palaiokostas, 44, escaped from the maximum security Korydallos prison near Athens in an operation involving helicopters and fast cars.

He was recaptured last August when police traced marked ransom money and has been awaiting trial for multiple robberies and the kidnap of an industrialist.

But on Sunday, Palaiokostas and accomplice Alket Rizai, a 32-year-old Albanian, hopped on to a rope ladder lowered by a helicopter into the prison which then dropped them down to two getaway cars. The chopper was found later along with its pilot, who claims to have been abducted.

A police official said: "Palaiokostas and his Albanian accomplice escaped from Korydallos prison by helicopter. The helicopter was then found in the northern Athens suburb of Kapandriti but there was no trace of the fugitives."

The latest escape has prompted a string of top officials to resign after the furious and red-faced justice minister, Nicos Dendias, demanded heads roll.