The trial of former Labour MP Margaret Moran for allegedly fiddling her parliamentary expenses to fix dry rot in her Southampton home will begin in her absence today.

Moran was found unfit to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court due to her mental health and so the three-day trial will take place without her.

The 56-year-old, of Ivy Road, St Denys, is accused of 15 charges of false accounting and six of using a false instrument relating to expense claims totalling around £80,000.

It is alleged that the former MP for Luton South, who stood down at the last election, ''flipped'' her designated second home, making claims for properties in London, Luton and Southampton.

She is also accused of dishonestly claiming £22,500 to repair dry rot at her Southampton home, and £14,805 for boiler repairs and work on her conservatory.

At a hearing in April, Mr Justice Saunders said the 56-year-old would not have to appear in court after hearing evidence from consultant forensic psychiatrist Philip Joseph that Moran, who was described as a ''broken woman'', was suffering from a depressive illness and extreme anxiety and agitation.

He said that both the prosecution and defence were in broad agreement and various medical experts agreed that Moran was unfit to plead.