A 17-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with the murder of a schoolgirl.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday morning.

He is charged with the murder of Year 12 pupil Ellie Gould in Calne.

Ellie, 17, was pronounced dead from stab wounds after emergency services were called to Springfield Drive at 3.15pm on Friday May 3.

Judge Peter Blair QC, the Recorder of Bristol, remanded the boy in custody after the short hearing and adjourned the case to July 19.

The boy has not yet entered a plea to the charge.

In a statement last month, Hardenhuish School said it was "shocked and saddened" by Ellie's death.

"Ellie was a talented, popular and much-loved member of our school community who will be dearly missed," it said.

Headteacher Lisa Percy added: “Ellie was a well-loved, popular and bubbly student." The school organised a balloon release in the girl's memory.

A week on from Ellie's death, Wiltshire Police's chief constable Kier Pritchard paid tribute to the girl: "My officers have seen first-hand the outpouring of love and support being shown by the people of Calne and Chippenham.

"I would like to pay tribute to everyone who knew Ellie. From the recollections I've been told by the head teacher at Hardenhuish, Ellie was a vibrant, popular and talented young woman.

"I, like many of you, have children of a similar age to Ellie and I simply cannot comprehend the grief and sadness all those affected are feeling. I fully appreciate the disruption, uncertainty and concern this case would have caused in what is a quiet but close-knit community."

He said his thoughts were with Ellie's family.