The family of a Scot killed in a New Zealand mining accident hope they will be able to bury their son after plans were drawn up to return his body home.

In November 2010, 29 workers were killed in an explosion at the Pike River Mine in New Zealand, but until now it was thought the bodies would never be recovered.

Malcolm Campbell, 25, of St Andrews, died at the mine after a methane explosion which also claimed the life of Peter from Perthshire.

A team of safety experts now believe they have discovered a safe way to get into the mine, which is more than one mile underground and has high carbon monoxide levels inside.

Mr Campbell's father, also Malcolm, said: "We don't want to say too much, in case we are let down yet again. This, of course, is the outcome we had all hoped for. Yet again another rollercoaster."

A Royal Commission of Inquiry report found the explosion was preventable – with numerous warnings ignored.