Jurors in the trial of a man accused of murdering two schoolgirls have been told there are delays due to “legal issues”.

Russell Bishop is on trial for sexually assaulting and killing nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway in Wild Park in Brighton in October 1986.

The 52-year-old was acquitted of murder in 1987, but is standing trial at The Old Bailey after new DNA and forensic evidence emerged.

The jury sat for four days while Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, opened the case against him.

Read more: 'How could they stoop so low?' Charity anger after shop break-in

They also visited Wild Park and the Moulsecoomb estate on Thursday last week to understand the geography in the case.

This week, witnesses were expected to begin their evidence in the trial.

But yesterday Mr Justice Sweeney told the jury that legal discussions were taking longer than expected.

The judge said: “Sadly, do not get too comfortable in your seats.

"You remember that I told you when we parted that I had some legal issues to deal with, and as I explained to you before, they are legal matters I deal with in your absence.

"It is unfortunately taking considerably longer than I anticipated. It's no-one's fault."

Previously, Mr Altman told jurors that Nicola and Karen were sexually assaulted and strangled to death in a den in Wild Park.

He said that Bishop had killed the girls for his paedophilic sexual gratification and said the evidence against Bishop is “overwhelming and compelling”.

Read more: CCTV images of travel agent robbery suspect

Bishop reportedly described the girls’ injuries and positions inside the den, which were details only the killer could have known, Mr Altman said.

He was also convicted of attempted murder, kidnap, and indecent assault on a seven-year-old girl from Whitehawk in Brighton in 1990, which Mr Altman says has similarities to the murders of Nicola and Karen.

New DNA evidence is set to play an important part in his retrial. Mr Altman said forensic evidence links Bishop to a blue Pinto sweatshirt which was found dumped near Moulsecoomb railway station on the night the girls went missing.

The blue Pinto contained his DNA, and contained fibres and paint which links it with his other clothes and his part-time work spraying cars.

DNA was found on Karen’s forearm, which Mr Altman said was a “billion times more likely” to be that of Russell Bishop.

Bishop, formerly from Brighton, denies two charges of murder, and the trial continues.