Relatives of a woman murdered more than 11 years ago have made a direct appeal to the killer to end the family's "nightmare" by turning themselves in to the authorities.

They vowed "there will never be a time limit on justice" for Emma Caldwell and warned it is "inevitable" other women will have suffered at the killer's hands.

Ms Caldwell, a 27-year-old sex worker, was found dead in woods near Biggar, South Lanarkshire, in May 2005.

The Crown Office asked Police Scotland to reinvestigate the unsolved case in 2015 after the original investigation failed to bring the killer to justice.

Ms Caldwell's mother Margaret Caldwell, uncle Jim Coyle and family solicitor Aamer Anwar met lord advocate James Wolffe QC on Thursday.

Speaking afterwards on the family's behalf, Mr Anwar said they wanted to talk directly to the killer.

He said: "Eleven years ago when you took Emma's life, you tore apart her family's lives forever.

"They were unable to bury Emma for some two years, her mother Margaret has never been able to grieve and when William, Emma's father, died from cancer in 2011, he made his family promise they would never give up fighting for justice.

"Today, Emma's family has one simple request for the killer: end this nightmare by giving yourself up to the authorities."

He added: "If you fail to do so, then you should know there will never be a time limit on justice for Emma Caldwell.

"Sadly it is inevitable that other women will have suffered at the hands of this killer and he will have aroused suspicions in his friends and family.

"The Caldwell family urges those who have such information to have courage and come forward and speak to the police in total confidence."

Four men were arrested over Ms Caldwell's death in 2007 but the case later collapsed.

Mr Anwar said her family had felt "betrayed" by the original investigation by the then Strathclyde Police but now wish to express their confidence in the fresh inquiry by Police Scotland.

A dedicated team of 25 officers, including some of Scotland's most experienced detectives, is working full-time on the inquiry, the solicitor revealed.

Detective chief superintendent Gareth Blair said Police Scotland remains "absolutely committed" to the case.

"The reinvestigation is focused on a number of areas including forensic opportunities which were not previously available and is pursuing lines of inquiry," he said.