Mick and Maireed Philpott, 55 and 31 respectively, are due to appear before magistrates later today.

The lead investigating officer Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: "Following the appeal yesterday a number of people have come forward with more information, but I want to stress that the two charges this evening should not be seen as the end of the investigation.

"We are determined to get to the truth of what happened and still want people to speak to us to tell us what they know about this tragedy."

Forensic examination is expected to continue at the house for some time.

Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six and Jayden, five, died in the house fire on Victory Road on 11 May. 13-year-old Dwayne died later in hospital. All six children were asleep upstairs when the fire began.

Mick Philpott received a lot of attention after an appearance on the controversial Jeremy Kyle television programme, and also hit the headlines when asking for a bigger council house for he, his then girlfriend and their 14 children.

The funerals for the six children who died in the fire have not yet taken place, although a charitable trust hoping to raise money for the services has so far raised over £10,000.