A 25-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested after police found a body believed to be that of missing Cairneyhill teenager Hazel North.

Police confirmed they had found the body of a young woman in Dean Park in Kilmarnock yesterday (Monday).

Hazel (19) was last seen by her family on 4th March, when she told her sister that she was going to Kilmarnock to meet a friend. She was reported missing on Friday.

Last night, police said that a 25-year-old man had been arrested in connection with her death.

He is expected to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court today (Tuesday).

A Police Scotland spokesperson said, "We can confirm that a 25 year-old man has been arrested and is presently detained in police custody in connection with her death.

"A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal." Police had carried out a search of a house at Northcraig Road on Friday, before turning their attention to the park on Sunday night.

The body was taken to Glasgow's Southern General Hospital.

Ayrshire Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Gillian MacDonald said, “I can confirm that as part of the ongoing Hazel North missing person inquiry, officers have carried out a detailed search and excavation of an area within Dean Park, Kilmarnock and the body of a young woman has been found.

"We believe this to be Hazel North. Hazel’s family has been advised of this and officers are supporting them at this difficult time.

"A full forensic examination of the site remains ongoing and a post-mortem examination will take place [today] to establish the exact cause of death.

"I can confirm that a number of people have been spoken to in connection with the inquiry into Hazel’s disappearance and these enquiries are very much ongoing.”