Hackers were able to take over Aberdeen City Council's website on Saturday evening, changing it to display a message saying "security stupidity."

A hacking group calling itself Team System DZ appeared to have gained control of the site for a few hours.

Before the local authority brought the site back online, each page said it had been "hacked by Team System DZ."

The anonymous hacking group, which posts much of its content in Arabic, claims to have hacked other institutions and government agencies around the world.

When contacted by STV News, the group said there were "lots of other targets" and "all that is happening in the Arab countries is mainly due to all foreign governments."

The same group claimed to be behind the hacking of Rugby League team the Keighley Cougars' website in 2014, which was changed to read "I love you isis."

Aberdeen City Council said it did not store residents' personal data on its website.

A spokesman for the council said: "We are aware of a security issue which affected the homepage of our website this evening (28 January) between 7.20pm and 10pm and are working urgently to investigate the incident.

"The website is currently back online and we would like to assure residents that no personal data is held on the Aberdeen City Council website."