A body has been found in the search for a missing Edinburgh priest, Father Martin Xavier Vazhachira.

The 33-year old Indian-born priest had been missing since Tuesday.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police Scotland can confirm that a body has been recovered from the West Barns area in East Lothian.

"The discovery was reported to police around 4pm on Friday.

"The family of Father Martin Xavier Vazhachira has been informed of this development."

Archbishop Leo Cushley said: "The news of Father Martin Xavier's death comes as a great shock and a great sadness to all those who knew him and loved him.

"Our thoughts and, more importantly, our prayers are with him and with all his loved ones in both Scotland and India. May he rest in peace."

Father Martin Xavier Vazhachira was a native of Kerela in southern India.

He was ordained a priest of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate order in 2013.

He arrived in Scotland in July 2016 in order to undertake post-graduate studies at Edinburgh University.