The head teacher of a six-year-old girl found dead after being reported missing has paid tribute to the "considerate and popular" youngster.

Alesha MacPhail's body was found in a wooded area in Rothesay at about 9am on Monday - less than three hours after she was reported missing.

Her death is being treated as unexplained and police said their inquiry is at a "very early stage".

The body was found at the site of the Kyles of Bute Hydropathic Hotel, which was demolished in the 1970s.

Wendy Davie, the head of Chapelside Primary School in Airdrie, described the six-year-old as "considerate" and "popular".

In a statement issued via North Lanarkshire Council, Ms Davie said: "Alesha started with us at Chapelside Primary in August 2016 and had just finished primary two.

"She loved being at school and enjoyed all aspects of literacy, in particular writing. She was such a perfectionist in her handwriting and was very proud of her work.

"Alesha was very friendly and she welcomed everyone first thing in the morning at breakfast club.

"She was a very considerate child who loved being part of a group and she was popular with all the other children and was a smiley and happy young girl.

"She was part of the family of Chapelside Primary and she will be greatly missed by everyone at the school.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and Chapelside Primary community at this very sad time."

A major investigation is under way to establish the circumstances of Alesha's death and police have asked anyone who participated in the search to contact them, saying they may have "critical information".

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston said: "Whilst we have had a very encouraging response from our appeal yesterday, I would continue to appeal to those who took part in the search for Alesha when she was reported missing.

"Those individuals may have critical information which could assist with our enquiries."

Anyone with information is asked to call officers from the Major Investigations Team via 101, quoting incident number 0695 of Monday 2 July 2018.

It's absolutely scorching on Bute. The Firth of Clyde shimmers and glints in the slightest of breezes. On the first week of the school holidays, Rothesay should be in full party mood.

Cameras click furiously, but it's not holidaymakers trying to capture the magic of this island.

Press photographers are snapping shots of the growing mass of floral tributes lined along the pavement in front of a large seafront house.

The house a little girl from Lanarkshire visited to spend time with her family; then disappeared from in the most unusual of circumstances in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police guard a cordon around the house and nearby woodland, where the body of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail was discovered less than three hours after the alarm was raised. Others wander along the seafront as a reassuring presence.

They say her death is still being treated as unexplained. Laying flowers and soft toys, few locals want to say much beyond offering condolences.

This tight knit community is in shock. "We need to know what happened," I overheard one dog walker say. With the result of a post-mortem examination looming, you can only hope they are forthcoming.