The light-fingered president of the Czech Republic has become an internet hit after being filmed pocketing a pen at an official signing ceremony.

Some Czechs were amused, others appalled, and more than 5,000 have signed up to a Facebook campaign to mail pens to Vaclav Klaus.

The video of him sheepishly pocketing one he took an obvious liking to during the signing ceremony last week in Chile became widely popular on the internet.

Mr Klaus said it was customary for leaders to keep pens after signing accords. But the manner in which he slipped the pen - encrusted with semi-precious Chilean stones - into his pocket underneath the desk while grinning was criticised by some of his countrymen.

Vojtech Palous, a 23-year-old medical student from Prague, said his actions were "absolutely inappropriate".

PA