A JUROR'S collapse forced a delay in the Birkby firebombing murder trial today.

The male juror fell ill at the weekend and was undergoing medical tests.

The jury - which had been due to start a second day of deliberations - was told to wait until the results were known today.

It would be possible for the jury to continue with 11 people, but Justice Andrew Smith said he preferred to have 12.

Five girls, their mother and uncle died in the fire which swept through their home in Osborne Road, Birkby, in May last year.

Their grandmother died in hospital from her injuries after she leapt from an upstairs window.

Shaied Iqbal, 26, of Springdale Road, Nazar Hussain, 24, of Dryclough Road, and Shakiel Shazad, 23, of Gledholt Road, each deny eight counts of murder. They also deny conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life.