THE TRIAL of Randle Williams is set to begin next week at Bristol Crown Court.

Williams, 43, is accused of murdering his 33-year-old wife Natalie last April and leaving her body in the River Avon, close to their Bradford on Avon home.

Natalie, a part-time buyer at Bath department store Jolly's, went missing on April 22 and was found days later in the River Avon close to the couple's home in Greenland Mills.

A pathologist report revealed she died from a combination of drowning and strangulation.

Police estimate the trial could last up to six weeks with scores of forensic scientists due to give evidence.

Williams, who owned IT company Speedy Duck based in Bath, will remain on bail.

Natalie's parents Bob and Muriel Hussey and her two sisters Nichola and Jacqueline are expected to attend the trial, which is due to begin on Wednesday at Bristol Crown Court.