A JURY has been sworn in for the trial of a nursery worker charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of a three-year-old girl.

Lydia Bishop died following an incident outside the nursery at York College in September 2012, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Nursery employee Sophee Redhead, 25, of Wenham Road, York, denies manslaughter due to gross negligence and a health and safety charge of failing to take reasonable care of the little girl.

York College is also charged with failing to ensure people not in their employment are not exposed to a risk to their health and safety.

Before the panel was selected, Mr Justice Coulson told potential jurors they would be excused if they or a family member had experienced the death of a child or baby.

"The general view is it would be not fair on you to make you a member of the jury in this case," he said.

Anyone with a connection to York College or its nursery, the Health and Safety Executive or Ofsted was also excused the three-week trial.

Jurors were told there will be a visit to York College tomorrow.

Robert Smith QC will open the prosecution case this afternoon.