The mother of Mikaeel Kular (3) has appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with his murder.

Rosdeep Kular (33) told police her son was missing from their family home in the Scottish capital last Thursday morning.

Her next appearance in court is expected to be on January 28th and, like today's hearing, will also be held in private.

Police found Mikaeel's body in an area of woodland in Kirkcaldy in neighbouring Fife shortly before midnight on Friday.

The discovery followed a major investigation and extensive day and night search for the boy in north Edinburgh, involving police and hundreds of local residents and volunteers.

Members of the public also made more than 500 calls to a dedicated phone line set up in the wake of Mikaeel's disappearance.

Police Scotland said on Saturday night that a 33-year-old woman had been arrested and charged in connection with the boy's death.

A memorial service took place on Saturday night at Edinburgh's St. Andrew's Muirhouse Parish Church, attended by more than 500 members of the local community.

Meanwhile there have been several arrests over suspected offensive tweets in relation to Mikaeel's disappearance.

Derbyshire Police arrested one man (26), while Hampshire Police said another man (19) had been bailed on suspicion of posting a racially-offensive comment.

"We are investigating the message to assess whether any criminal offences have been committed" said a spokesman for Hampshire Police.

Reporter James Mathews says his mother has been charged today at a short and private hearing.