A father and son who were jailed 15 years ago following an explosion at a fireworks factory are bringing a challenge against their convictions at the Court of Appeal.

Martin Winter and his son, Nathan, were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence in 2009 after two firemen died and 20 other people were injured in the blast at Marlie Farm in Shortgate, near Uckfield, on December 3, 2006.

Martin Winter, who ran a fireworks firm at the site, was handed a seven-year jail term while his son was sentenced to five years, later reduced to four, following a five-week trial.

The company was convicted of two health and safety breaches in connection with the blast and was fined £30,000.

A High Court ruling in July 2013 found East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service had also been negligent in the incident and were ordered to pay damages to the families of those affected.

Lord Justice William Davis, sitting with Mrs Justice McGowan and Mrs Justice Cockerill, will hand down a decision on the appeal in writing at a later date.