THE Margaret Fleming murder trial has today COLLAPSED.

Edward Cairney and Avril Jones have been on trial accused of killing the missing woman at the home they shared at Seacroft, Main Road, Inverkip, between December 1999 and January 2000.

They deny murdering her by means unknown and also deny claiming £182,000 in benefits fraud by pretending she was alive.

The trial, which was in its third week, was dramatically halted at the High Court in Glasgow this afternoon.

No explanation was given in court for the trial collapsing, but judge Lord Matthews said that it was no fault of either the prosecution or defence counsel.

Lord Matthews said: “I will desert the trial pro loco et tempore.

"As a result of circumstances we can't proceed.

"It is highly unfortunate all this has arisen.

Prosecutor Iain McSporran QC said: “I move for the trial to be deserted and for a fresh preliminary hearing and fresh trial to be set.

"I also think a brand new indictment.”

Defence QC Thomas Ross has applied for bail for his client Cairney.

This will be decided tomorrow.