A man has been charged with two counts of murder following the deaths of an Aryshire woman and her 10-year-old daughter after their bodies were discovered at the side of a road.

Thomas Bennie Smith, 26, of Cronberry, near Cumnock in East Ayrshire, appeared in private at Ayr Sheriff Court on Thursday charged with the murders. He is also accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Diane Fallon, 43, and daughter Holly disappeared from their home in Cronberry on March 28. Their bodies were found on Wednesday on the A70, close to the Lugar River and the Templand Viaduct in Ayrshire.

The mother and daughter were last seen by a neighbour after attending a fundraising event in the village. A large-scale search involved mountain rescue teams, a helicopter and police dogs. An underwater team was also drafted in to search a pond and burn near to Ms Fallon's home.

Holly's schoolteacher sparked the police hunt when she reported the pupil missing from class on March 31. Tributes were paid to the young girl by education staff who said her death would be "sorely felt" at her primary school.

Local councillor Jimmy Kelly said: "Cronberry is a small, close-knit community and this is devastating.

"My heart goes out to Ms Fallon and Holly's relatives and friends."

Mr Smith made no plea and no declaration and was remanded in custody.

He will appear in court again on April 16.