Chinese authorities are said to have seized around 8,000 rolls of toilet paper - paper that featured 'unflattering' images of Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.

Associated Press reports that The Hong Kong Democratic Party had ordered the toilet paper in advance of a market to be held in Hong Kong during the Lunar New Year celebrations. At last year's market, the party had sold out of 4,000 rolls featuring images of the leader, and had placed a bigger order this year - as well as 20,000 tissues.

The 'novelty' toilet paper featured 'cartoonish and unflattering' images of the pro-Beijing leader. The Hong Kong Democratic Party says no reason was given for the seizure.

The seizure comes a few months after massive pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, where protesters had called on the Chief Executive to step down.

As quoted by Associated Press, the party's vice chairman Lo Kin-hei said, "I guess [the Chinese authorities] don't like people mocking government officials, especially high-ranking government officials, after the movement. They have become more cautious about criticisms about them."

"We will become the mainland if this kind of mocking will be not allowed in Hong Kong," he added.

The party also says they have been able to communicate with the owner of the factory that produced the toilet paper, with Mr Lo saying they are concerned what happened to him despite efforts to obscure their dealings with the producer.