A man has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of Sian O'Callaghan.

Christopher Halliwell, 47, of Ashbury Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire, spoke only to confirm his name and address when he appeared at the town's Magistrates' Court.

He is accused of killing the 22-year-old PA, who disappeared in the early hours of Saturday March 19 after a night out with girl friends.

Her body was found close to the Uffington White Horse, 15 miles from her home in Swindon.

Halliwell wore a dark suit and a blue and white striped shirt for the court hearing. He showed no emotion as the murder charge was read out.

Magistrates remanded him in custody until March 30, when he will appear at Bristol Crown Court.

Earlier, a group of around 50 people surrounded the police van taking him to court.

There was a further outburst from the crowd in the public gallery as he was taken down from the dock.