A man has appeared in Court charged with the murders of two children in a house fire in Bradford.

Asjid Mahmood, of Pollard Lane, Undercliffe, made his first appearance at Bradford Magistrates' Court this morning.

The 21-year-old is accused of the killings of Alina Shah, ten, and her brother Aman, eight, at their home in Hendford Drive, Pollard Park, early last Tuesday.

During a brief hearing, Mahmood confirmed his name, age and address to the court.

He was told he faced two allegations of murder and was asked if he understood the charges. He replied: "Yes."

Four Asian men, aged in their 50s and 60s, were present in court to observe proceedings.

Mahmood was remanded in custody to appear at Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday, when his solicitor said he would be making a lengthy bail application.

Meanwhile, an 18-year-old man, also arrested in connection with the investigation, has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Alina died at the scene of the blaze which swept through the house. Aman was pronounced dead shortly after. Both died from inhalation of fumes.

Their mother, Iram Shah, 30, suffered severe burns in the fire and remains critically ill in a specialist burns unit at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.