Steve Wright, 49, of Ipswich, Suffolk, denies murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

A total of 114 potential jurors were whittled down to 24 after being asked whether they knew the victims or witnesses in the case.

Twelve of them - 10 men and two women - were then sworn in and will form the jury for the trial. The others are reserves in case some drop out.

The potential jurors had to fill in a questionnaire asking whether they knew the victims or some of the witnesses in the case, or had connections to certain occupations or the media.

The judge, Mr Justice Gross, told the 12 jurors who were selected they must ignore any media reports they read or saw about the case and must not do their own research.

He said: "Do not try to obtain information elsewhere - for example, on the Internet - about the case or any matters which are raised in the course of the trial."

Wright arrived at Ipswich Crown Court in a prison van flanked by two police cars as a BBC TV helicopter buzzed overhead.

Wearing a black suit with a white shirt and dark-coloured tie, he appeared in Court One surrounded by security guards. He spoke only to confirm his name and listened to the lawyers' discussions of administrative tasks during the hearings.

The prosecution, led by barrister Peter Wright QC, is expected to open its case on Wednesday. The trial is expected to last for at least six weeks.