The sentencing of Oscar Pistorius is due to begin today and the Olympic athlete could make a personal plea to the court in an effort to avoid jail.

Pistorius was cleared just over a month ago of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp but was found guilty by Judge Thokozile Masipa at a Pretoria court of culpable homicide.

The sentencing process in South Africa now begins.

However, it is likely to take much longer than under UK law and may even involve Pistorius addressing the court again to argue mitigating factors.

There is an opportunity for both the prosecution and defence to call witnesses and prosecutor Gerrie Nel will be looking for a lengthy jail term for Pistorius, having failed to secure a murder conviction.

Pistorius shot Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year but the judge concluded the athlete had not intended to kill the model.

Judge Masipa found the runner was negligent when he raced down the corridor towards his bathroom armed with a gun - then fired four bullets through the locked toilet door.

But essentially she believed what the athlete told the court, that his actions were a mistake.

Pistorius said he believed an intruder was in his Pretoria home.

Ms Steenkamp's mother June said she was disappointed with the verdict and that the judge had got it wrong. Both families are expected to return to court for the sentencing process.

If he is sent to jail, the longest sentence Judge Masipa is expected to dish out would be 15 years.

However, many believe Pistorius could avoid prison altogether with alternative forms of punishment including a suspended sentence or a fine.

Both the prosecution and Pistorius have the option to appeal once the trial is finally over.

Below is a live feed of the sentencing: