A British court has heard a seven-year-old girl was found in a field with severe cuts to her neck and chest.

A 15-year-old girl has been  charged with Katie Rough's murder, and appeared before York Magistrates' Court earlier.

The defendant's solicitor spoke on her behalf during the eight-minute hearing, and answered questions about her name and address.

Flanked by two security guards and a youth offending team manager, the teenager remained silent and stared straight ahead.

The accused, who cannot be named because of her age, is also charged with possessing an offensive weapon.

Wearing a grey sweatshirt, she appeared in a glass-fronted dock in the court.

She was remanded into secure accommodation and the case was adjourned until Friday, when she will appear before Leeds Crown Court.

Katie Rough was found on a track after police were called to an address in nearby Alness Drive, in the Woodthorpe area of York, on Monday.

The youngster, described as a "kind and thoughtful child", was taken to York District Hospital but died a short time later.

A card left at the scene where she was found, signed by "nana and grandad", read: "Night, night my darling princess Katie."

North Yorkshire Police say: "Katie’s family are devastated by this tragic event and have asked for their privacy to be respected at this extremely distressing time".