A police investigation is under way after an object was thrown at a mosque and left minor fire damage to the property.

The incident happened at around 2.10am on Sunday at the Central Mosque in Potterrow, Edinburgh.

The object hit the building and caused damage to the front door and a small bush within the garden area.

Police are treating the incident as a hate crime and have made a public appeal for information.

The suspect is described as a white male and is believed to be in his early thirties. He has very short hair and was wearing dark trousers and a short-sleeved black top with a white emblem on the front at the time of the incident.

Police believe that prior to the offence the man spoke to a group of females in George Square, near the junction with the Meadows, and these witnesses have been urged to come forward to assist officers with their inquiries.

A number of vehicles are also known to have driven past the mosque at the time of the incident and any motorists who remember seeing anything have been asked to contact police.

Detective inspector John Kavanagh said: "Fortunately no one was injured as a result of this incident, but the consequences could have been far worse had the fire taken hold and spread.

"I would ask that anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity around the mosque, or within the Potterrow area, contacts police immediately."

Foysol Choudhury, chairman of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, said: "ELREC, as an equality organisation that has been striving to fight any forms of discrimination since 1971, strongly condemns this crime as an attack against our freedom of religion and expression.

"Edinburgh cannot tolerate any action that aims to spread hate and division within its society.

"ELREC also wishes to offer support to anyone who feels more insecure after this attack."

Chief inspector Mark Rennie, local area commander for South East Edinburgh said: "This was a despicable and reckless act, which we are treating as a hate crime.

"We have launched a thorough investigation to identify anyone involved and anyone who believes they have information that can assist with our inquiries is urged to get in touch."

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.