The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has proudly displayed Matthew 5:9 on its vehicles since a makeover in March.

Two months later, the quote - “Blessed are the peacemakers…” - has been scrapped on orders from Sheriff Hank Partin.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) had criticised it as “a sectarian and exclusively religious statement”.

Explaining his decision, Sheriff Partin told the Roanoke Times: “The last thing that I want is for this to become a distraction to the men and women who serve their communities selflessly every day.”