Former First Minister Alex Salmond has been left disappointed after his calls for a Saltire emoji were again ignored.

Mr Salmond asked computer giant Apple and Unicode, the company who design and create emoji software, to consider adding the Scottish flag to their catalogue.

But with the forthcoming release of Unicode 9.0, which is set to feature 72 new emoji icons, the MP for Gordon has again had wish go unfulfilled.

He told The Courier: “Last year, I wrote to both Apple and the Unicode Consortium, asking them to consider including the Saltire in their next update.

“However, I am disappointed that that once again Scotland has been left out, along with our neighbours in England and in also in Wales.

“Admittedly, they have half completed the job with the inclusion of our national animal, the unicorn, on the emoji list, but I am sure I speak for all Scottish users when I say that we would appreciate the ability to add St Andrew’s Cross to our correspondence.”

The former SNP leader said he will write to the consortium again to ask them to “consider Scotland and her Saltire in the next update” and added: “It is, after all, Scotland’s emoji.”