Two men will stand trial in China next week for the murder of a backpacker on a remote mountain trail.

Shirine Harburn, 30, from Langley Green, Crawley, was stabbed 17 times in the chest as she walked alone in May 2000.

The trial is due to start on Monday at Kangding, in western Sichuan province.

The accused men face the death penalty if convicted.

An officer from Sussex Police is already in China to attend the trial with Shirine's parents, Clive and Sheila Harburn, and boyfriend Colin Horsfield.

Chinese detectives arrested the two men in March.

Sussex Police have played a role in the investigation, liaising with their counterparts in China.

Last April Detective Superintendent Chris Gillings, Detective Inspector Steve Johns and senior scene of crime officer Tracy Stocker flew to China to meet the 26 Chinese detectives investigating the case.

DNA from Shirine's clothing and swab samples from her body were sent back to the UK for analysis last year.

Shirine had been travelling with her boyfriend, Colin. The became separated when Shirine stopped to take photographs at Paoma Hill, near Kangding.