THE heartbroken mum of tragic youngster Alesha MacPhail has told how she'll celebrate her daughter's first birthday since her death.

Georgina Lochrane is planning a vigil with a bubble machine and balloons at her daughter's graveside, to mark what would've been her seventh birthday tomorrow.

The 23-year-old from Airdrie told the Scottish Sun: “I want everyone to think of Alesha tomorrow on her birthday.

“I want people to remember her how she was — and to forget about the hurt and pain.

“We are going up to the spot where she is buried with balloons and a bubble machine as she always wanted a bubble party."

The youngster vanished while on holiday with family, including dad Rab MacPhail, in Bute earlier this year.

Her body was discovered hours later.

Read more: Teen, 16, charged with rape and murder back in court

Mum Georgina added: “She may not be here to celebrate with us but we will make it as if she was never gone.

“This is the first birthday I haven’t spent with her.

“Tomorrow was supposed to be the best day of my life — and hers.

“But this is the hardest day I’ll have to face without her.”

The mum-of-two told how the little girl's death has effected her younger sister Courtney, aged four.

She said: “I just can’t believe she’s never coming home.

“Her little sister talks about her every day, she misses her so much.

“The day Alesha went to stay with her dad, they were cuddling on the couch saying they loved each other.

“That’s a memory I will never forget.”

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the alleged rape and murder of the tot.

He cannot be named for legal reasons.