THE parents of six children killed in a house fire will go on trial for their murder next year.

Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, appeared at a preliminary hearing at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday and were told they will go on trial next January. They are charged with murder following a blaze at their home in Allenton, Derby, on May 11.

Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six and Jayden, five, all died in the fire.

Duwayne, 13, died in Birmingham Children's Hospital two days later.

They will be laid to rest at a funeral service in Derby on Friday.