The trial of two men accused of manslaughter after an Oxford University student died after being fired from a giant catapult has begun.

Kostadin Yankov, 19, a first year biochemistry student at Wadham College, missed the safety net, hit the ground and died at an event in Bridgwater, Somerset, on November 24, 2002.

The device operators, Richard Wicks, 33, of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, and David Aitkenhead, 45, of Fiddington, near Bridgwater, are on trial at Bristol Crown Court.

The defendants both deny the charge of unlawfully killing Mr Yankov by being grossly negligent.

Philip Mott, prosecuting, said Mr Yankov, who was known as Dino, was an undergraduate member of the Oxford Stunt Factory - a group well known for dangerous pastimes.

The court was told that the defendants had failed to respond to warnings that something was seriously wrong", when four people fell short of the landing net after a sling on the catapult was changed.

Tests throws had earlier been carried out, but on a different sling, which the defendants assumed was the same.

The prosecution said this was "scarily reckless".

The case continues.