Four men have appeared in court charged with people trafficking offences.

They were arrested on Friday as part of Operation Heathyard, led by Police Scotland in West Lothian and supported by the National Crime Agency and Greater Manchester Police.

The men were detained at addresses in Livingston, Bathgate and Salford and appeared in private at Livingston Sheriff Court.

Maris Kursis, 28, from Hamilton, Arvids Civkors, 28, from Edinburgh, Hardijs Langsteins, 35, from Salford, and Aivars Dzagarjans, 36, from Forth in South Lanarkshire, were each charged with two trafficking offences, the Crown Office confirmed.

They were charged under section four of the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004, which covers trafficking people for exploitation.

The Act states: "A person commits an offence if he arranges or facilitates the arrival in the United Kingdom of an individual and he intends to exploit the passenger in the United Kingdom or elsewhere."

All four men made no plea or declaration and were released on bail.

The case has been committed for further examination with a further court date to be set.