Murder charges after bodies found

Holly Fallon, 10, and her mother Diane went missing 11 days ago

A 26-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a mother and daughter in East Ayrshire.

The bodies of Diane Fallon, 43, and 10-year-old Holly, who had been missing from their home in Cronberry, near Cumnock, were found on Wednesday.

Thomas Smith, also from Cronberry, appeared at Ayr Sheriff court charged with murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

The mother and daughter were last seen at their home at about 2300 BST on Saturday, 28 March.

The road into the village of Cronberry has been closed by police

Their bodies were discovered by police search teams near Cronberrry.

Holly's schoolteacher at St John's Primary, Cumnock, raised the alarm on Tuesday, 31 March, after she failed to turn up for classes.

Tributes have been paid to the schoolgirl. She was described her as a "happy, bright and able pupil, who was fondly regarded by everyone who knew her".

Forensic officers are still at the spot where the two bodies were discovered and the road in and out of the village where the Fallons lived has been closed by police.