Police Scotland have made a further apology to the family of Lamara Bell after an officer left a voicemail message on her phone 10 days after she died.

The Bell family said the officer had left the message on Ms Bell's phone while trying to contact another family member and that Police Scotland had gone to the family home to inform them of the mistake.

Ms Bell, 25, died a week after being involved in a crash which killed her boyfriend John Yuill, 28, on the M9 earlier this month.

A call was made to police but not acted upon and the couple lay in the crashed Renault Clio for three days until a second call was made.

The M9 crash incident is being probed by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.

Ms Bell's father Andrew Bell said he felt the latest error should be recorded.

He posted online: "The police chiefs were here this morning. To apologise for a message that was left on Lamara's phone, dated July 21 asking Lamara if she had seen her 'sister' (cousin) Rebecca.

"It was a constable under stress probably working hard doing a job, we all make mistakes in life, I know it will embarrass the police and the guys doing a job of work, my aim isn't to embarrass or shock or look for sympathy, but to show no truths are being left out in the search for the reasons why was Lamara left in a field for three days."

Ms Bell's brother Martin Bell wrote: "So my dad had the chief constable of Falkirk police at his house this morning.

"They were there to inform him that one of their constables had phoned my sister's phone on the July 21, 10 days after she died.

"They told my dad this constable left a voicemail on her mobile saying 'Lamara we are looking to speak to your sister Rebecca if you have seen her can you give us a call back" are you kidding me on? Are the police for real!

"They come to apologise in advance for when my mum and dad hear this voicemail for themselves."

Chief Superintendent John Hawkins, Forth Valley Divisional Commander said: “Once again I want to offer Police Scotland’s condolences to the Bell family.

“I am deeply disappointed that we have shown such a lack of awareness given all the briefings put in place within Forth Valley area and the media coverage reflecting the level of shock felt across the country.

“We clearly regret having caused any further upset to them.

“I have given all the details to the Bell family of why the call was made and given my, and the Chief Constable’s sincere apologies on behalf of the force.”