'He's gone missing, he's about five foot five, pale complexion, dressed in a hat, scarves and gloves ... answers to the name of Frosty'. 

Police Scotland are reminding the public about the appropriate use of their 101 and 999 numbers after a woman called to report a stolen snowman. 

A man rang the cops after he was given a 'dirty look' by his neighbour while another woman dialled 101 as there was a large spider in the house and she couldn't sleep. 

Cops receive around 2.8 million non-emergency calls to the 101 line with just under 500,000 emergency calls to 999 every year in Scotland.

Most of the calls are made appropriately but some, such as the woman who rang to ask police to check her height and the gent who asked what to do if his car tyres were under-inflated, were not.  

Police Scotland said: "Although these calls may seem amusing, they are taking a call handler away from what could be an important 999 call and a member of the public who may need urgent assistance."

Chief Superintendent Roddy Newbigging added: “Our campaign is a timely reminder to people to use 101 and 999 properly.

"Call handlers deal with a call every 10 seconds. They are highly trained, skilled and knowledgeable and are there to help.

"Most people contact the police appropriately but there are a small percentage who do not – this abuse of 101 and 999 could cost lives.

“Our message is simple - if it’s an emergency call 999. In a non emergency situation, dial 101.”

101 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be used to contact Police Scotland or any other force in the UK.

The Police Scotland website can also be used to report a range of issues, including domestic abuse, hate crime, child abuse, wildlife crime and lost property.

Alternatively, members of the public can approach a police officer on duty or attend at a police station front counter.

More information about 101 and the ways to contact Police Scotland is available on the Police Scotland website viawww.scotland.police.uk/101999aware.