Plaque hitting out at Muirfield Golf Club policy installed in West Princes Street Gardens.

Bench: The plaque was installed in Edinburgh. STV

Members of a golf club which banned female members have been excluded from sitting on a park bench by the "female population of Edinburgh".

Muirfield Golf Club in Gullane, East Lothian, was at the centre of controversy in the summer when members held a vote on female membership.

They decided against allowing women to become members, returning a vote of 64% for and 36% against, just short of a two-thirds majority needed to change its constitution.

The resulting worldwide condemnation from the vote led to the club being stripped of its chance to host the Open.

A plaque has now appeared on a bench in West Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, which "excludes" members of Muirfield from sitting on it.

The plaque, which was spotted over the weekend, states: "The members of Muirfield Golf Club are hereby excluded from sitting on this bench. By the order of the female population."

A post featuring a picture of the plaque has been shared almost 2000 times on Facebook.

Stuart McEwen, secretary of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, said the golf club did not wish to comment.

The plaque, which had been stuck on the bench, was removed by Monday afternoon.

Edinburgh City Council confirmed it had removed the item.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "This is a presentation seat that was donated to the city and has an existing dedication.

"The plaque in question has been placed without permission and has been removed."