The explosion at the Stockline factory claimed nine lives

The High Court was told prosecutors and defence lawyers had agreed evidence which could bring the trial down from 100 days to about 20.

Two companies owning the Stockline factory in Maryhill face four charges under health and safety legislation.

The case was continued for a further preliminary hearing on 13 March.

About 300 witnesses were on the prosecution list for the trial.

Shortened significantly

Paul McBride QC, defending, said the prosecution and the defence agreed a mass of evidence.

He told the judge, Lady Dorrian at the High Court in Glasgow that this would reduce the witness list by 120.

Mr McBride also revealed that reports from prosecution and defence experts on the cause of the tragedy are also being studied with a view to the possibility of agreeing more evidence.

He said: "It seems likely that if there were to be a trial in this case it would be shortened significantly by agreement of technical and medical evidence, reducing the trial from 100 days to 20 days."

Personal injury

The two companies - ICL Tech Ltd. and ICL Plastics Ltd - have been charged in connection with the blast on 11 May, 2004.

The explosion in the Grovepark Mills, Hopehill Road, Maryhill, destroyed the factory killing nine workers and injuring more than two dozen, some seriously.

There are four charges brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

They allege that the companies failed to ensure their workers were not exposed to risks of personal injury and death from fire, explosion and other dangers.