New York City police are investigating after a giant banner featuring a picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin was hung from the ManhattanBridge on Thursday.

The banner showed a picture of President Putin in front of a Russian flag with the word "Peacemaker".

Police were called at 2.45pm on Thursday and removed it around 30 minutes later.

Officers are studying CCTV footage of the bridge and nearby areas but are yet to arrest anyone.