A life-saving public access defibrillator has been stolen from a village square.

The medical equipment was removed from its box in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire.

It had been installed in Market Square for people to use in the case of medical emergencies and had been in place since March.

Police Scotland said the theft occurred at some point between midday last Wednesday and 2pm on Thursday.

Constable Charley Keith said: "This type of crime can potentially have a massive impact on the community, particularly if someone comes to depend on this piece of life saving equipment being available.

"This defibrillator is funded through the local community council and has only been in place for a short time.

"There is the slim possibility that someone has removed this equipment for a genuine purpose and if that is the case, the person responsible is encouraged to return it to its rightful place."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101.