A schoolgirl battling leukaemia has been a scientist for a day at Edinburgh's Sick Kids hospital in a bid to better understand her illness.

Ten-year-old Arabella Muir was diagnosed with the disease in December 2016 and has been going through intensive treatment for the last year and a half.

The initiative was set-up from children's charity Harvey's Gang, who work to help children suffering from life-threatening diseases.

Arabella was fascinated to find out what happens to her blood tests.

She said: "It was really strange, I never thought my blood would have a smiley face on it.

"You wouldn't expect it and you might not see it again."

She added that she hoped that other leukaemia sufferers would get the chance to visit the ward.

"I think that hopefully they'll understand why the nurses and doctors are doing this to them."

Bioscientist Tamara Hanson showed Arabella around the ward and felt the scheme would offer an important service to children suffering from illness.

She said: "This is like a secret area to the children and it's just demystifying the process for them.

"So the way we look at this is that it's an extension of their healthcare."