THREE people have appeared in court charged with the murder of four children who died in a house fire.

Zak Bolland, Courtney Brierley and David Worrall are all charged with four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

They appeared at Manchester Crown Court for a preliminary hearing this morning.

The charges relate to the deaths of siblings Demi Pearson, aged 15, Brandon Pearson, aged eight, Lacie Pearson aged seven and Lia Pearson, aged three.

The three older children died on Monday after the fire broke out at a house in Jackson Street, Walkden.

Lia died in hospital on Wednesday.

The attempted murder charges relate to the children's 35-year-old mother, who remains in hospital and two 16-year-old boys who cannot be named for legal reasons.

A trial date has been set for April 30 next year but no formal pleas were entered at the short hearing, which lasted only 15 minutes.

The court heard how a trial is expected to take around three to four weeks.

All three defendants only spoke to confirm their name, date of birth and nationality.

No applications for bail were made by the defendants, who will remain in custody until they are next before the court.

Bolland, aged 23, of Blackleach Drive in Walkden, Brierley, aged 20, of Worsley Avenue in Walkden and Worrall, aged 25 of no fixed abode are next set to appear before the court for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

All three wore prison uniforms during the hearing and were led out of the courtroom by dock officers at its conclusion.

The press benches were full during this morning's hearing.