A 38-year-old woman accused of murdering two children in an arson attack more than 16 years ago will appear at Oxford Crown Court on Monday.

Fiaz Munshi, of Manley Road, Oldham, Lancashire, has just appeared at Oxford Magistrates Court charged with the murder of eight-year-old Anum Khan on August 26, 1997 and 15-year-old Majid Khan on August 28, 1997.

Munshi, who wore a black headscarf, black cardigan and patterned grey dress spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth.

She did not make an application for bail and was remanded in custody.

As she was led from the dock there were cries from the packed public gallery.

Munshi was arrested by detectives from Thames Valley Police's major crime unit in Oldham on Tuesday and charged yesterday.

Five people were convicted in 1998 of murder and sentenced to life over the arson attack.