LAWYERS have decided that just two men will now go on trial for the murder of a former Burnley businessman in South Africa.

No fewer than seven people have been in the frame for the robbery and murder of Fred Picton Turbervill, who was shot dead in front of his wife Ursula and their and youngest children last January.

But now only two, Mozambique citizens Petro Morkel, 27, and Cristovao Fresco Ndima, 20, will be in the dock at Pretoria High Court next August.

Mr Picton-Turbervill, a former Caldervale RUFC captain, ran a furniture design business in Burnley and lived in Colne and Barrowford in the 80s and early 90s.

Morkel and Ndima have been told they will face charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Prosecutors have recently withdrawn charges against Denis Nyone, another Mozambique man, who was quizzed about the murder, which took place at the family's fortress-like home in the township of Waterkloof Ridge, near Pretoria.

Previously other suspects, Rafel Thembe, 18, and Thokozane Nhlapo, 23, had also been cleared of their alleged involvement in the killing.

Earlier husband and wife Lucky and Synthia Ntulli, 37, and 35, said to have provided a safe house for some of the suspects, were also allowed to go free.

An indictment lodged with the court alleges that Morkel and Ndima robbed the family of four cellphones, a laptop computer, a handbag, Ursula's identity book and her husband's passport. It is also said that they took two wallets containing around 900 rand (£74) in cash and some items of jewellery, before shooting Mr Picton-Turbervill in the head.

The couple's four children, four children, Samantha, 11, Bryony, 10, Natasha, 7, and three-year-old Gregory, were caught up in the incident.