The trial of a man accused of murdering two teenage girls 37 years ago has been delayed after several members of the jury fell ill.

Angus Sinclair, 69, denies raping and murdering Christine Eadie and Helen Scott, both 17, who were last seen at the World's End pub in Edinburgh on October 15 1977. He is accused of carrying out the attacks along with his brother-in-law, Gordon Hamilton, who is now dead.

Evidence in the trial at the High Court in Livingston was halted yesterday morning by Judge Lord Matthews after three jurors reported feeling unwell. The jury had been hearing from ­forensic scientist Geraldine Davidson.

She gave the court a report on DNA analysis carried out on the belt from Helen's raincoat, which had been used as a ligature around one of her wrists.

Ms Davidson, who was giving evidence for a fourth day, told the jury that the analysis suggested the two girls may have still been together when the ligature was tied.

She told the court that, in relation to one sample which had previously been part of a knot in the belt, there was "very strong support" for Sinclair to have contributed to the DNA found, and "moderately strong support" that Hamilton had also contributed.

Jurors have previously heard that Christine's body was found at around 2.25pm on October 16 1977 at Gosford Bay, Aberlady, and Helen's body was discovered at around 6pm that day in a field near Haddington in East Lothian.

The jury has heard a defence report detailing Sinclair's version of events, in which he said he had "consensual sexual intercourse" with both girls in a vehicle in Holyrood Park and later left to go fishing.

The trial continues today.