Jane Longhurst's body was found five weeks after she disappeared

The boyfriend and family of a special needs teacher have arrived at court for the trial of the man accused of murdering her.

Graham Coutts, 35, from Waterloo Street in Hove, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Brighton teacher Jane Longhurst between 14 March and 19 April, 2003.

Miss Longhurst's partner Malcolm Sentance, her mother Liz Longhurst and sister Sue Barnett arrived at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday morning for the start of the trial.

The prosecution case had been expected to open on Monday but proceedings were delayed by legal submissions.

A jury was expected to be sworn in on Wednesday.

Miss Longhurst, originally from Reading, lived with Mr Sentance in Brighton.

She taught at Uplands School, a special needs school in the south coast city.

Ms Longhurst disappeared from their home in Shaftesbury Road on 14 March.

Her body was found in woodland on 19 April at a bird sanctuary in Pulborough.