The jury has been sworn in for the trial of an elderly couple accused of conspiring to murder the man’s first wife decades ago. 

Allen Morgan, 73, and Margaret Morgan, 75, deny conspiring to murder Carol Morgan 42 years ago.

The body of the 36-year-old was found in her shop called Morgan’s Store on August 13, 1981.

The couple, from Stanstead Crescent, Brighton, are facing trial at Luton Crown Court.

Carol Morgan was repeatedly struck with what police described as a sharp and heavy weapon at the shop in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

The Argus: Carol Morgan was found dead in her shop in August 1981Carol Morgan was found dead in her shop in August 1981 (Image: PA)

A cold case investigation was reopened in 2018 and the couple were arrested in late July last year accused of conspiracy to murder.

Bedfordshire Police Detective Superintendent Carl Foster previously said: “We launched a murder investigation into the cold case of Carol Morgan over five years ago.

“I want to thank our community for supporting the investigation.

“Our cold case unit continues to review every unsolved murder and no murder investigation is ever closed.”

The prosecution's opening statement is expected to be heard on Tuesday next week.