Derby fire deaths: Mick and Mairead Philpott charged

At an earlier news conference Mairead and Mick Philpott appealed for privacy after the deaths

The parents of six children who died in a house fire in Derby have been charged with their murders and are due to appear before magistrates later.

Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six and Jayden, five, died in the house fire on Victory Road on 11 May.

Another brother, Duwayne, 13, died three days later in hospital.

Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, are expected before Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court.

Derbyshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: "Following the appeal yesterday a number of people have come forward with more information, but I want to stress that the two charges this evening should not be seen as the end of the investigation.

"We are determined to get to the truth of what happened and still want people to speak to us to tell us what they know about this tragedy."

Forensic examination of the house is expected to continue for some time.

Funeral arrangements for the children have yet to be finalised but authorities at Derby Cathedral have agreed to host a Catholic service.

A charitable trust set up to administer money raised for the funerals said earlier this week it had passed the £10,000 mark.