A mother jailed for 17 years for killing her six children in a house fire has lost a second bid to challenge the length of her sentence.

Mairead Philpott, 32, was jailed alongside her husband Mick at Nottingham Crown Court in April after being convicted of the manslaughter of Jade Philpott and her brothers John, Jack, Jesse, Jayden and Duwayne.

There was applause from the public gallery yesterday as Court of Appeal judges at Nottingham Crown Court dismissed a renewed application by Mairead Philpott to challenge her jail term.

Mick Philpott was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years. His wife, who is likely to be released after serving half of her 17-year term, took part in a plan to set fire to the couple's home in Victory Road in an effort to frame his former mistress.

Members of Mairead's family including her mother Vera, father Jimmy and sisters Bernadette and Jennifer, were in the public gallery. Mairead Philpott was not in court.

Mairead's barrister Shaun Smith QC said that Mairead was "particularly vulnerable" to a man like Philpott who took advantage of young girls with no family support or self esteem.

Lord Thomas dismissed Mr Smith's claims she could not stand up for herself against her husband.

He said: "She had a responsibility that was not overborne by the will of Michael Philpott."