DETECTIVES have confirmed the second body found at a house in Margate is that of teenager Dinah McNicol who went missing in 1991 aged 18.

Officers had believed jewellery and clothing also found at 50 Irvine Drive were consistent with the remains being Miss McNicol's.

DNA tests have now confirmed the remains are those of Dinah, who came from Essex. Members of her family have been informed of the developments.

Meanwhile, the family of Vicky Hamilton, the 15-year-old schoolgirl whose remains were also discovered buried in the back garden of a house have thanked police for "finding our sister and bringing her home".

The girls were found by the Essex police investigation team.

Dinah who went missing on her way back from a music festival in Hampshire in August 1991.

A statement issued by Lothian and Borders police on behalf of Vicky Hamilton's sister Sharon,36, twin brother and sister, Lee and Lindsay, both 23, reads: "Sharon, Lee and Lindsay would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the inquiry team from Lothian and Borders Police for finding our sister and bringing her home.

"Also a thank you to the public for their support at this difficult time and to all those who have left floral tributes at the house in Margate and to those who attended the Prayer Service for Vicky and Dinah McNicol on Sunday.

"We would also like to thank everybody who have supported the family over the past 16 years.

"This is a difficult time for us all but the knowledge that Vicky will be reunited with her mother gives us solace and a degree of comfort. After 16 long years we are thankful we can finally grieve for Vicky and give her a proper burial.

"Vicky going missing ripped the family apart. Not only did we lose a beloved sister, we also lost our mother who died through heartache never knowing what happened to her daughter."

"Our thoughts are also with Dinah's family. We understand exactly what they are going through and offer our support and comfort at this time."