Family prepares for Vicky funeral

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Vicky Hamilton will finally be laid to rest in her father's funeral plot on Friday, her family has confirmed.

The remains of the 15-year-old were discovered about two weeks ago, 16 years after she disappeared from Bathgate, West Lothian.

Her body was found at the former home of Peter Tobin in Margate, Kent, alongside the remains of missing student Dinah McNicol.

The 61-year-old has been charged with Vicky's murder.

Her father Michael Hamilton, 57, said the funeral would take place on Friday and she would be laid to rest in the plot where he also wishes to be buried.

I want Britain to see Vicky being put to rest on Friday Michael Hamilton

She will be buried at Grand Sable Cemetery in Polmont, Stirlingshire, not far from the former family home in Redding, Falkirk.

Last week, Mr Hamilton announced that he did not wish Vicky's funeral to take place before Christmas.

However, he said he has now had a rethink and internal family issues with regard to the funeral have been resolved.

Speaking to the BBC Scotland news website, Mr Hamilton, said: "I want Britain to see Vicky being put to rest on Friday.

"There was some controversy over where Vicky would be laid to rest but that has all been sorted out now, there are no problems.

"Her roots are in Redding, her mother was from West Lothian but my daughter lived in Redding so that is where she will be buried."

Mr Hamilton visited the house in Margate at the weekend

Vicky's mother, Janette, died two years after her daughter went missing, at the age of 41. She is buried at Muiravonside cemetery near Linlithgow in West Lothian.

Mr Hamilton said the family changed their minds over waiting until the New Year to bury Vicky after "a long discussion".

Vicky's disappearance more than 16 years ago triggered one of Scotland's biggest missing person investigations.

She was last seen on 10 February 1991 sitting at a bus stop in Bathgate eating a bag of chips.

Her remains were unearthed earlier this month as police searched the house in Margate.

Mr Hamilton and other family members visited the house at the weekend.

The service, led by the Reverend Geoffrey Smart, will be held at Redding Parish Church at 1200 GMT on Friday followed by burial at 1300 GMT.