The trial of four men accused of killing 36-year-old Ted Shaxted in Northfleet in December last year has been delayed.

A jury panel was being selected at Maidstone Crown Court today and then sent away overnight. Potential jurors living in the Gravesend and Longfield areas are excluded.

Jonathan Higgs, prosecuting, said the six-week case would be opened tomorrow but there will be no "live" evidence until Thursday.

Judge Michael Lawson, QC, lawyers and the jury will be taken to scene of the alleged attack in Wallis Park on Wednesday.

Trevor Lees, 35, of London Road, Northfleet, Kelvin Horlock, 29, of Hatfield Road, Strood, Bill Saunders, 27, of Shamrock Road, Gravesend, and Marvin Service, 33, of Brandon Street, Gravesend, deny murder. Lees has admitted manslaughter.

Mr Shaxted, 36, died at Darent Valley Hospital on December 16 after an incident at his flat two weeks earlier.

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