Two life-saving defibrillators which a community raised £2000 to buy have been stolen.

The devices, which can be used to restart hearts during cardiac arrest, were taken from Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire, in what police called a "reckless act of theft".

The defibrillators were paid for by a group of residents in the village, led by fundraiser Skea Ross, and installed in two places in the village three years ago.

A spokesman for the Portlethen Rotary Club said: "Some of our members were trained to use them when they were installed and it is very disappointing that all Skea's good work to get them, have them fitted and the training has been wasted.

"We hope that they will be recovered and whoever removed them receives the appropriate punishment."

The defibrillators were taken from Newtonhill Road and the Old Mill Road between September 26 and October 10.

Investigating officer Marc Camus said: "These are reckless acts of theft that have the potential to cause fatalities through misuse or from the equipment being deprived from the people in the community it is there to serve.

"They have no other material function and I know how much time and effort went into the fund-raising to obtain these crucial life-saving devices."

Anyone with any information about the theft has been asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.