A sculptor has been carpeted by police for stealing doormats to form an exhibit.

Kevin Harman, a student at Edinburgh College of Art, said his work of around 200 mats from doorsteps around the city's Bruntsfield area was meant to bring people together.

But some residents took exception to his plan and the note he left telling them he would return the mats but needed to borrow them for the sake of art.

He said: "I had one lady who was very distressed about it. She had sentimental attachment to this doormat.

"She got in touch with the police who came to me through the college and I immediately returned her mat, although eventually she said I could borrow it."

The 25-year-old described the thinking behind the work, called Love Thy Neighbour, which is on display as part of the college's degree show.

He said: "There's not much of a structure. I have laid them out so you can see them for what they are. They are so beautiful as individual objects so I laid them together almost like in the neighbourhood.

"I left behind the slip of paper saying sorry for the inconvenience I've borrowed your doormat and I'll be in contact soon'.

Mr Harman, who is from Edinburgh and has completed a BA Hons in sculpture, added: "There was one guy called Ronnie who chased me and I ran and had to hide outside the flats. But I went back and explained it and he thought it was a great idea and we ended up going for a pint.

"He said that he had talked to people in his block of flats he hadn't known before as a result of what I did. Although it seems quite a bad thing to do I think in the long run it will be good for the community as it gets them talking."

Lothian and Borders Police said: "The gentleman in question was asked to return the mats and the matter is now resolved with no further police action to be taken."

Stuart Bennett, associate head of sculpture at the college, said: "Where some have been intrigued by the project, others - despite Kevin's best intentions - have found it upsetting, which the college regrets."