German consumer goods company Henkel has caused a stink with its brand of toilet freshener after Ukrainians complained that it resembled their national flag.

The yellow-and-blue Bref Duo Stick freshener has been removed from sale in eastern Europe after a TV advertisement aired on a Russian channel was seen in neighbouring Ukraine.

The advert shows the freshener that looks like the flag being put under the toilet rim.

Tore Birol, Henkel’s general manager for laundry and home care products in Ukraine, said yesterday that the company had pulled the product within three days of the complaints.

He said: ‘We are very sorry if people were offended by the design of our new product’

Mr Birol explained that the freshener was coloured yellow to represent its lemon scent and blue to symbolise water and hygiene.