THE jury in the trial of an undertaker accused of murdering his wife and disposing of her body has retired to consider its verdict.

John Taylor, 61, denies killing retired primary school teacher Alethea Taylor at their bungalow in 2012.

Taylor, of Mortimer Close in Orleton, near Tenbury, previously said he believes his 63-year-old wife is still missing.

Prosecutors allege that the funeral director, who was having an affair with a woman from a neighbouring village at the time, had been keen to spread rumours that his wife was losing her mind in the run-up to her disappearance on January 19 last year.

Earlier in the trial at Worcester Crown Court, which began last month, the jury of five men and seven women heard that police had been unable to find a single clue to suggest Mrs Taylor was still alive during a "proof of life" investigation.