Police investigating the discovery of a woman's severed head and a hand on a Scottish beach have discovered a second hand.

The head - in a plastic bag - was found by two young sisters as they played near South Street in the town of Arbroath, in Angus, yesterday morning.

Officers, who are conducting "painstaking" forensic tests in the area, found a hand nearby and now say a second was recovered shortly after.

The discovery of the second hand was only revealed today.

A major investigation has been launched by police, who have been trawling through missing persons files trying to identify the woman.

Det Chief Insp Graham McMillan, leading the investigations, said authorities were anxious to identify her as quickly as possible.

"The body parts have been removed from the beach and a post-mortem will be undertaken today, along with further forensic and pathological investigation today," he said.

"But I think it is fair to say that this investigation is in its infancy and it will take several days before we have forensic test results that could shed further light on the inquiry."

He said recent heavy rains in the area made it difficult to tell how long - if at all - the head had been in the water.

He appealed to anyone who walks their dog in the area, or works or socialises there, to get in touch.

Part of the beach - which is popular with dog walkers - remained cordoned off while forensic officers combed the area..

The tides are determining when and where investigators search, but they will widen their scope to include the harbour area and shoreline.

The sisters, from the Arbroath area, were playing during their Easter school holidays when they found the head.


Forensic expert removes evidenceNeighbours said they heard their screams before the youngsters rushed home and told their mother who contacted Tayside Police.

A Holmes (Home Office Large Major Crime Enquiry System) Team has been set up to help with the investigation.

Residents and politicians in the seaside town said they were shocked at the gruesome find.

Patricia Millar, 54, chairwoman of the Royal Burgh of Arbroath Community Council, said she was "shocked and appalled".

"This is the kind of thing you hear about in big cities. I never expected it to happen here," she added.

Angus MSP Andrew Welsh, who lives just outside Arbroath, said: "My reaction is one of absolute shock that such an incident should have happened, especially when young children have been involved.

"The sooner this tragic mystery is cleared up, the better. This would be a shock in any area of Scotland, but especially in Arbroath, which is a family, holiday town. It is a hideous situation for these youngsters."

Cant imagine anything worse than discovering that.

Two Lithuanian men have been arrested!!!

Shocking news - poor kids.