The gas supply company Transco has been charged with culpable homicide following a fatal explosion in South Lanarkshire three years ago.

Andrew Findlay, 34, his wife Janette, 36, and their children Stacey, 13, and Daryl, 11, died in a gas blast at their Larkhall home in December 1999.

It is the first time in Scotland that a company has been accused of culpable homicide.

The indictment for culpable homicide follows a lengthy investigation by the Lanarkshire Area Procurator Fiscal, based in Hamilton.

He was assisted by a specialist team of police officers from Strathclyde Police.

Charges contested

In a statement Transco said it intends to contest the charges.

The firm said it had actively co-operated throughout the Crown's investigations and was continuing to do so.

Transco added that now it knows the precise nature of the allegations it will be studying them in detail.

The case has been indicted for trial in the High Court Edinburgh on 7 March 2003 on a charge of culpable homicide with a contravention of Section 3 and 33 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 as an alternative.