Two people have been charged with murder after a house fire in Walkden left three children dead.

Zac Bolland, aged 23, of Blackleach Drive, Worsley has been charged with three counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

Courtney Brierley, aged 20, of Worsley Avenue, Worsley has also been charged with the same.

They both remain in custody and are due to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court today.

Shortly before 5am on Monday emergency services were called to Jackson Street in Walkden to reports of a house fire.

The fire service sought to put the fire under control and rescue the people inside the house but , three children, believed to be 14-year-old Demi Pearson, eight-year-old Brandon Pearson and seven-year-old Lacie Pearson, died.

Their 35-year-old mother and three-year-old sister remain in hospital.

Two 16-year-old boys were able to escape the property.