A woman will stand trial accused of killing her toddler daughter, who died after taking a heroin substitute.

Lucy King, 38, of De Burgh Street, Dover, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter when she appeared at Maidstone Crown Court today.

The hearing was a year and a day since the death of two-year-old Frankie Hedgecock. She is believed to have died on June 5 last year after ingesting methadone.

King, who wore a blue, red and white check shirt with white jeans, was told by Judge Jeremy Carey that her week-long trial has been provisionally fixed to start on April 18 next year.

However, the court heard it may be moved to an earlier date in December if space can be found.

King was released on conditional bail.