Employees face trial over deaths

The Shepherd family were staying at an apartment in Corfu

Two Thomas Cook employees are facing trial over the deaths of two British children in Corfu, the company said.

Six-year-old Robert Shepherd and his sister Christianne, seven, died in October 2006 from carbon monoxide poisoning at a holiday apartment.

They were found with very high levels of the gas in their bodies.

Their father Neil Shepherd, 38, of Horbury, West Yorks, and his girlfriend, Ruth Beatson, 28, were also in the apartment but survived.

A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said the Greek Judicial Council had announced charges are also to be brought against several other individuals.

These included hotel management and external maintenance contractors.

She said the company was "shocked and deeply concerned" that two of its employees - who have not been named by the company - were to face charges in Greece over the deaths.

"Thomas Cook continues to stand behind the two people concerned and believes that they will be fully vindicated," she said.

She added: "The accident involving Christianne and Robert Shepherd in Corfu was a terrible tragedy and the company's deepest condolences will always be with the children's family and friends."

The family were on half term holiday when the accident happened, and were staying at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel when the fumes apparently leaked in.