The Baby Jesus has been taken from the nativity scene in Kilbirnie.

An urgent appeal was issued by Kilbirnie Town Centre Management Initiative (KTCMI) on social media to ask for the figure’s safe return.

Posting on social media, KTCMI said: “If anyone knows the whereabouts of Baby Jesus from the Nativity Scene on the roundabout at the cross - can they please return him or return him to a safe location.

“As many Kilbirnie people are aware there is a CCTV camera monitoring the cross.”

The nativity scene has been at the roundabout every year for the last three years and was put up on Thursday.

A spokesperson for KTCMI told the Herald they believed the Baby Jesus was taken between Saturday, November 30 and Monday, December 2.

Responding to the appeal, Heather McNaught said: “You’re joking! Of all the things that should be sacred, have people no respect?”

Fiona Burns said: “This is disgusting.”