A MAN on trial for the murder of Breightmet mum Maggie Smythe has admitted killing her.

At Bolton Crown Court 40-year-old Christopher Taylor admitted the manslaughter of 29-year-old Ms Smythe, but continues to deny he murdered her.

His brother, Brian Ottley, aged 29, is also on trial and denies assisting an offender by helping to dispose of body parts and perverting the course of justice.

Today a jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the case in a trial which is expected to last up to three weeks.

The Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh, told them: "Jury service is an important public function because it is you, the jury, which decides which evidence you find to be accurate, honest, credible and reliable.

"It is you, the jury, who decide what conclusions you can sensibly reach on the evidence as you find it to be."

He instructed the jurors not to discuss the case with anyone else outside their number.

The jury will begin to hear evidence tomorrow after Katherine Pierpoint, prosecuting, opens the case.

Police launched an investigation after 29-year-old Ms Smythe went missing from her home in Swinside Road, Breightmet, on Saturday January 26.

Her body was found on February 1. After a major police search her remains were discovered at the rear of the derelict Red Bridge Inn, Red Lane, Breightmet.

Christopher Taylor, of Greenroyd Avenue, Bolton, first appeared at Bolton Magistrates’ Court three days later after being charged with murdering Ms Smythe, who worked as a cleaner at Bolton Interchange.

The investigation continued after Taylor and Ottley, also of Greenroyd Avenue, Breightmet, were charged and in May firefighters and specialist officers conducted searches in the area of Firwood Fold reservoir.