Backpackers arson trial set for January

Fifteen people died in the blaze

The man accused of starting a fire at an Australian youth hostel in which 15 backpackers died is to go on trial in January, a court has ruled.

Six British backpackers - including two from south Wales - were among those killed in June 2000 at the Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers, Queensland.

Four Australians, two Dutch, one Irish, one Japanese and one South Korean also died.

Friday's court decision ends a seven-month legal row over where the trial of Robert Paul Long should be held.

Queensland state Chief Justice Paul de Jersey ruled that the trial should be moved to the state capital of Brisbane, not the regional city of Bundaberg as previously ordered.

"It is critically important, in the interests of the accused, the families of the alleged victims and the public generally, that the trial commence as soon as possible," Mr de Jersey told Brisbane's Supreme Court.

The defence had argued for a change of venue, arguing the fairness of the trial could be at risk if it was held in Bundaberg, just 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the scene of the fire.

Mr Long is facing two counts of murder and one of arson. Police have said they will wait until the two murder charges have been dealt with in court before deciding whether to charge him over the other 13 deaths.

The trial is set to begin on 29 January and is expected to run for six weeks.

About 160 witnesses are expected to be called, including up to 40 from overseas.