Man arrested on suspicion of murdering six-year-old Alesha MacPhail

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering six-year-old Alesha MacPhail.

Scotish police made the arrest this evening following a nationwide plea for information about MacPhail's death. The body of the six-year-old was discovered in a woodland area in the Isle of Bute on Monday. She had been reported missing from her grandmother's house just a few hours earlier. "The island community needs to pull together at times like this and we need their help," said Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston.

"Alesha had lots of friends who will no doubt find it very difficult to comprehend why they will never see their friend again. "For such a young girl to have her life taken away is incomprehensible."

He has appealed for anybody with information to speak to the police. Following the discovery of MacPhail's body, local police urged those on the Scotish island to "lock their doors." Police commander Chief Superintendent Hazel Hendren said:

"Incidents such as this are extremely rare, but we are still in the early stages of this investigation and we would ask people to be vigilant about their children and also their household security."

No further information about the arrest has been given.