Philpott trial day 1: Jurors chosen in case of Mick Philpott, wife Mairead and Paul Mosley, on trial for manslaughter of six Philpott children in Victory Road fire

MORE than 100 witnesses could be called to give evidence in the case of Derby couple Mick and Mairead Philpott.

Eighteen jurors have been chosen from the jury panel of 60. Twelve will be selected to try the case.

The panel of 60 had the names of the potential witnesses read out to them this morning at Nottingham Crown Court.

Justice Kathryn Thirlwall told those assembled that, if they knew any of the witnesses - or Philpott, his wife or the third defendant Paul Mosley - they must indicate and would not be eligible to try the trio.

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The trial of the couple, who are accused of killing their six children in a house fire, is due to start today.

The pair, who were previously charged with murder, both pleaded not guilty to six separate counts of manslaughter when they appeared at Birmingham Crown Court via video-link in December.

The charges were also denied by 45-year-old Mosley, of Cecil Street, Derby, and he will be tried alongside them at Nottingham Crown Court.

The trial is expected to last for around six weeks.

Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, all died in a blaze at their parents' semi- detached house in Victory Road, Allenton, on May 11.

Their brother Duwayne, aged 13, died the next day at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

All six children died from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Two weeks after the fire, the Philpotts were charged over their deaths.

Mosley was charged in November.