Two men have appeared in court charged with murdering a man by pushing him over a canal bridge and prising loose his hands as he clutched on to its safety rails.

Mark Munro and James Robertson are said to have murdered former Forth Valley College student Russell Robertson after attacking him on Bainsford Bridge in Falkirk, over the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Munro, 30, and James Robertson, 26, are accused of acting together in the murder of Russell, 27, in the early hours of Sunday.

At consecutive private five-minute hearings at Falkirk Sheriff Court, neither made any plea and procurator fiscal depute Catherine Knowles opposed bail.

Sheriff Derek Livingston continued the case for further examination and remanded Munro, of Denny, Stirlingshire, and Robertson, of Westquarter, Falkirk, in custody.

A single charge against them, on petition, reads that on May 29, 2016, at Bainsford Bridge, Grahams Road, Falkirk, while acting together, they "assaulted Russell Robertson, seized him by the neck, placed their arms around his neck and restrained him, seized him by the body, threw him to the ground, pushed him over the bridge railings, and whilst he was hanging from said railings, punched him on the hands and prised his hands from said railings causing him to fall to his injury, and murdered him."

Munro, who was represented by Denny solicitor Willie McIntyre, and Robertson, who was represented by Falkirk solicitor Billy Hendry, will appear in court again at a later date.

After his death, Russell Robertson's family paid tribute to him in a statement issued through the police.

They said: "We are totally devastated at the loss of Russell. He was a much loved son, brother, nephew and uncle. We would respect privacy from the media at this difficult time."

Mr Robertson's body was found near Grahams Road at around 5am on Sunday.

Detective inspector Alec Cameron, of Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, said: "Our sincere condolences are with Russell's family and friends at this sad time.

"I want to thank the local community for their support and reassure people that we'll use all resources at our disposal to ensure a thorough investigation into Russell's death.

"We're urging anyone who may be able to assist with our inquiries, particularly anyone in the Grahams Road area shortly before 3.30am on Sunday morning, to get in touch as soon as possible."

Tributes to Russell, who was known to friends as "Smeegs", have appeared on social media.

Megan Cherry said: "RIP Smeegs. Can't believe we're never going to see you again, absolutely devastated. You didn't deserve this. Thinking of his whole family right now. Going to miss you x."