Police have charged a man after an advert inviting revellers to a Hogmanay party at Nicola Sturgeon’s house was posted on Facebook.

Nearly 2,000 people responded to the advert, which used Ms Sturgeon’s real address, stating they would be attending or potentially attending.

A Facebook event page was created titled “NYE street party @ Sturgeon’s house”, which claimed it would be “bringing the celebrations to Sturgeon’s”.

The header photo for the party event showed the First Minister grinning widely as she sat on a park swing.

Ms Sturgeon’s sister Gillian, 46, said she had reported the prank to the police after more than 700 people indicated online they would attend and more than 1,100 said they were “interested” in turning up.

‘Police have been informed with your name’

She said: “My sister’s personal address now shared all over social media as an event for a New Year party. Police been informed with your name. In case you are reading this. Looks like you are in for a Merry Christmas.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with communications offences. He has been released on undertaking to appear at court at a later date.”

Earlier this week Ms Sturgeon cancelled traditional Hogmanay events and ordered sports matches to be played in “effectively” empty stadia, arguing the spread of the new omicron variant must be suppressed while the booster roll-out is completed.

She also announced that “a requirement for table service” would be introduced at hospitality premises serving alcohol from Dec 27, again for three weeks. Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants will have to enforce one-metre social distancing.

Her Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts have also unveiled new restrictions from Boxing Day.