THE legal outcome of an investigation into a factory explosion in which nine people died a year ago is still some way off, law officers said yesterday.

As survivors and relatives of the dead prepared to gather today to mark the first anniversary of the disaster at the Stockline Plastics factory in Maryhill, Glasgow, the Crown Office said it had received a report on a joint investigation into the blast.

Crown counsel will now consider the report in detail to determine if legal proceedings will follow.

ACrown Office spokesman said: "The report is substantial and includes complex technical analysis, which will now be considered. It is anticipated that this will take some time."

Campbell Downie, owner of the firm, said: "It is as important for us as for the families to find out what happened."

A mass in memory of the dead will be celebrated this morning at St Columba's Catholic Church on Hopehill Road, near to the disaster site.

There will be an evening memorial service at Maryhill Community Centre.