Up to 400 Police Scotland officers could be deployed to deal with the consequences of Brexit, according to the country's chief constable.

Iain Livingstone said the Scottish police force had contingency plans in place based on a "reasonable worst case scenario".

This could include potential public disorder, disruption at ports and airports and the need for officers to be deployed to Northern Ireland.

He called for additional funds to be made available to help meet the cost.

Speaking at a board meeting of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), Livingstone confirmed the force would bring forward plans to recruit about 100 extra officers.

It will also scrap plans to reduce its number of officers by 300 – which was predicted to save £12.6 million.

The savings were part of a drive to reduce the force's deficit, which stood at £34m last year.

Asked if the 400 officers would be applied "specifically to Brexit", Livingstone confirmed they would.

But he warned: "The financial sustainability that we need to establish will be threatened by some of the operational decisions I need to make around Brexit.

"There is a significant risk that without additional funding, the budget will result in a larger deficit than previously stated if officer numbers are retained at current levels.

"In this regard, it is important to publicly underline that the consequences of Brexit have not yet led to necessary additional funding being allocated to Scottish policing."