Murder probe launched after Paige Doherty's body found in Clydebank

A murder inquiry has been launched after a 15-year-old girl's body was found in Clydebank.

Paige Doherty, from the West Dunbartonshire town, had been reported missing after failing to arrive at her part-time job at a hairdressers on Saturday.

Police have confirmed a body found in a wooded area behind a path off Great Western Road is that of the schoolgirl.

Detectives said they are trying to piece together her movements from when she left a friend's home on Saturday morning until her body was found at the side of the busy route connecting Clydebank and Glasgow at around 12.45pm on Monday.

After leaving the home in the Whitecrook area of Clydebank at around 8.15am it is thought she made her way to a bus stop to travel to the hairdressers in Kirkintilloch, around 12 miles away.

The last confirmed sighting of her was at a roll shop on the town's Fleming Avenue at around 8.20am.

Her mother reported her missing after she did not show up at her job at Street Image hairdressers and was not in touch all day.

Detective Superintendent Duncan Sloan, of Police Scotland's major investigations unit, said it was an "extremely harrowing time" for Paige's family and friends as he confirmed that a murder investigation was under way.

Speaking from the scene on Tuesday, Mr Sloan said: "Anybody who knows Paige, please come forward with any information around her lifestyle or any reason why you think somebody would have attacked Paige."

He did not reveal the nature of her injuries but said a post mortem examination will take place.

The detective said he is "open to all motives" for the assault.

Mr Sloan said: "From what we are finding out from friends, family and teachers, Paige was a really warm, kind individual and had a real set course on where she wanted to take her life.

"She had arranged her own part-time placement at the hairdressers that she was meant to attend in Kirkintilloch.

"This was a girl with a future, a life and plan in front of her."

He added: "We will do all in our power to bring some answers as to the circumstances leading to the death of Paige Doherty."

The schoolgirl, who was 4ft 8ins and slim, with long dark hair, was wearing a dark jacket, jeans and white Nike trainers when she went missing.

Forensic officers continue to work at the site where her body was found. A large area is cordoned off and a police tent remains in place.

Posting on Facebook, the teenager's mother Pamela Munro wrote: "We are absolutely devastated, as will many people who know her will be xxx."