Ronald Castree, a 53-year-old comic book seller from Oldham, denies killing the 11-year-old, who disappeared on an errand for her mother in Rochdale in 1975.

Her body was found three days later on moorland near Ripponden, West Yorkshire.

Tax clerk Stefan Kiszko was originally convicted of her murder but was freed 16 years later after his conviction was quashed.

Yesterday potential jurors were called into Bradford Crown Court and asked a series of questions.

Each of them shook their heads when they were asked if they knew either the defendant or any of the Molseed family, or if they had links to areas which would be important to the case.

Six men and six women were then selected to sit on the jury and told they would be sworn in this morning. Three more were chosen as "spares".

The judge also warned the jury to disregard all press reports about the case and particularly urged them not to look at the internet.

He said there was good reason to believe someone was putting "disinformation on the internet about this case".

Castree stood in the dock as the jury was selected. Balding and with glasses, he was wearing a grey suit, white shirt and purple tie.

The case is expected to last between three and four weeks.