Police have been called to a Build-A-Bear store in Edinburgh after a disturbance erupted over a 'Pay Your Age Day' event.

Officers attended the Ocean Terminal shopping centre following the incident at around 3.15pm on Thursday, as thousands of parents flocked to the chain store to take advantage of the deal.

The offer means parents can pay less than £5 for toys that would usually cost up to £27.

Staff and security are on the scene, after police left around 4pm.

Build-A-Bear at Ocean Terminal has since been closed amid the chaos.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "We were called to reports of a disturbance at 3.15pm outside Build-A-Bear at Ocean Terminal.

"Staff and security are still on the scene."

Meanwhile angry shoppers across Scotland have been turned away from shops which were forced to close after running out of stock.

Long queues formed outside the store with shoppers reportedly told they would need to wait six hours to be served.

Three-hour long queues were reported at Glasgow outlets including Buchanan Galleries, Silverburn and Braehead.

Some had started queuing in Glasgow's Buchannan Galleries at 9.15am in the hope of bagging a bargain.

Alana McCarthy, 22, a civil servant and mum to seven-month-old Hallie said: "We've been told we have another hour to wait but I don't know.

"The timings keep on changing. We have stayed because of the kids.

"I think once you've told them you are getting a bear you kind of have to wait."

Mum Vikki McDougall, 36, arrived at the shopping centre at 10am after hearing about the event earlier this week.

The mum to 12-year-old Danni and one-year-old Calli said: "It was my husband who told me about it and my daughter saw it on Facebook.

"I know someone who spent £101.50 for three bears at normal retail price so this is going to be cheaper.

"My one-year-old will pay £1 and my oldest £12.

"The children need to be commended for their patience."

Store chiefs said the response to the event "exceeded their expectations."

"The response to our Pay Your Age Day event at all of our U.K. locations has been overwhelming and unprecedented.

"The crowds have greatly exceeded our expectations and, per local authorities, we are closing all Build-A-Bear Workshop locations in the U.K. due to extreme crowds and safety concerns.

"Locations are no longer able to accept additional guests for this event.

"We are working diligently to assess the situation and appreciate everyone's patience and understanding."