The family of a Livingston woman who died in Spain have urged the Scottish Government to do more to help those who lose loved ones overseas.

Kirsty Maxwell's death is being investigated as a potential homicide by the authorities in Benidorm.

The 27-year-old from Livingston, West Lothian, fell from a tenth-floor window after entering the hotel room of five men, all from England, who are now being investigated.

Her parents and husband say the case has highlighted significant differences in the support given to grieving relatives in England compared to Scotland.

Ms Maxwell's family said the Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) consular officials in Spain and Police Scotland family liaison officers were helpful and supportive of their situation.

But beyond that, they say they have had to do everything themselves.

This includes paying for a post-mortem when Ms Maxwell's body was brought home, hiring a Spanish lawyer to deal with legal proceedings, and contracting a retired detective to investigate the death.

Husband Adam Maxwell said: "There wasn't much help at all. The liaison officers tried to help the family in whatever way they could, but they're very limited in what they can do - they're not allowed to be involved in the investigation at all."

In contrast, the death of an English or Welsh person overseas would have been investigated by a coroner, who could have ordered a second post-mortem, held an inquest, requested case files, and had them translated.

Coroners can also ask their local police force to help assist their investigation, and the police can take it upon themselves to get involved as well, although they cannot conduct inquiries overseas unless invited by the foreign country.

The Scottish Government has recently changed the rules on fatal accident enquiries (FAIs), giving the lord advocate powers to order one into a death abroad if they think the findings of the foreign inquiry were insufficient.

However, critics say these powers do not go far enough.

David Swindle, who is investigating Ms Maxwell's death on behalf of her family, said: "There are major issues that have not been addressed.

"Families of victims who are murdered abroad, or who die unexplained or suspicious deaths, deserve the best possible support. They aren't getting this support right now."