A care home worker will go on trial today accused of killing an elderly resident by setting fire to her room.

Irene Herring, 86, was rescued by firefighters from her top-floor, single-occupancy room at Ancaster Court in Hastings Road, Bexhill, on February 1, 2009.

She was treated by paramedics and taken to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings, where she died the following day.

A post mortem examination found that Mrs Herring, a non-smoker, died from pneumonia brought on by smoke inhalation.

Laundry worker Rebecca Reasbeck, 20, of Upper Park Road, St Leonards, denies a charge of manslaughter.

She is on bail and will go on trial at Lewes Crown Court from 10.30am.