A 16-year-old boy is to stand trial over the alleged rape and murder of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail.

Alesha, from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, was reported missing on Monday, July 2, while staying with her father and grandparents in Rothesay on Bute.

Her body was found less than three hours later in woods.

The teenager, of the Isle of Bute, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court for a second time on Friday.

He made no plea and has been fully committed and remanded in custody.

A vigil is to be held in Alesha's memory on Friday night. Lanterns and balloons will be released at West End Park in Airdrie.

Several teams will also take part in the football match at Airdrie's Penny Cars stadium on August 4 to raise funds to help Alesha's family.

People gathered to light candles for the six-year-old in Rothesay's Guildford Square last week.

A crowdfunder to assist Alesha's family with costs has raised more than £10,000 after starting with a target of £5000.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston said Alesha's family had shown "incredible bravery through what has been an unimaginable ordeal" following her death last week.