The president of the firm that created the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise has quit the company.

Leslie Benzies has left Edinburgh-based the award-winning Rockstar North, which created one of the biggest selling video games of all to date, after more than 15 years.

New York-headquartered Rockstar Games, which now owns Rockstar North, said in a statement: “We can confirm that Leslie Benzies went on sabbatical on September 1, 2014 and has decided not to return to work for the company.

"We are very grateful for Leslie’s contributions to Rockstar over the last 15 years as we worked together to make some amazing games."

The company added: "Leslie helped us build an incredible team that will continue to create great experiences for our fans.

"Leslie will always be a friend to the company and of course we are going to miss him but we wish him the absolute best for the future.”

In 2014 Aberdeen-born Mr Benzies bought the St Stephen's Church venue in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, in a deal thought to be worth more than £500,000.

Reports suggest Scotland's computer games industry contributes £99 million to the UK economy.