A woman whose head was found in a shopping bag on a footpath was named by police today.

Detectives said the remains, discovered in an Ikea bag in Newhaven, Edinburgh, on Wednesday December 31, were that of 44-year-old Heather Stacey from the city.

She was named as a man appeared in court in connection with the find.

She is believed to have died within the last two years, and tests are continuing to establish the circumstances of her death, Lothian and Borders Police said.

The force appealed for anyone with any knowledge of Ms Stacey to contact them immediately.

Alan Cameron, 54, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice and breach of the peace in connection with the discovery.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

The bag containing the badly decomposed head was found by a woman while out walking.

Other carriers found at the scene contained bones and "various materials" but police would not say what they were.

The woman's identity was established following DNA tests.

A police statement said: "She is believed to have died within the last two years, and tests are continuing to establish the exact circumstances of her death.

"Officers are carrying out a number of searches in Edinburgh today as part of the ongoing inquiry.

"Police are appealing for anyone who has any knowledge of Heather Stacey to contact them immediately."