Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito have been cleared of the murder of Coulsdon student Meredith Kercher.

Miss Knox, 24, and Mr Sollecito, 27, were originally convicted in 2009 for the murder of Miss Kercher in her Perugia flat in November 2007.

The 21-year-old was found semi-naked in the flat she shared with Miss Knox having been stabbed to death.

Key to the case was a bra clasp and a knife which originally was linked to the couple via DNA evidence.

But this was disputed during the appeal, with the defence claiming Italian investigators had contaminated the evidence.

The pair have always maintained their innocence throughout one of the most high profile cases in recent history.

The case has had worldwide coverage, including a made-for-TV movie of the murder shown in the US.

The family of Miss Kercher must now come to terms with the decision having flown to Italy to hear the verdict.

A third man, 24-year-old Ivorian Rudy Guede, is serving a 16-year sentence having had his conviction upheld in a separate hearing.