A huge flag has been stolen from one of Donald Trump's Scottish golf courses.

The saltire was taken from an 80ft-tall flagpole at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire on Monday night.

It is unclear how the thieves were able to remove the flag but a white van was seen nearby.

Constable Carolyn Wright said: "I would urge anyone with information about a van that was seen in the area shortly before 10pm on the Monday to get in touch."

Residents living near the Trump International course have made a series of complaints about the the flag, which was described as "tatty".

Mr Trump was forced to ask the Scottish Government for permission to keep it flying after it emerged that it had been erected without consent.

Flags also hit the headlines during the President's last visit to Scotland last June, when protesters flew Mexican banners on the border of the Menie Estate.

On Thursday, a Trump spokeswoman said: "The matter is currently being investigated by Grampian Police [sic]."