Michael Jackson's bodyguard has said that the singer's doctor ordered him to clean up medical paraphernalia after his death.

Appearing at a court in Los Angeles, Alberto Alvarez said that it was only after he had cleaned up that Dr Conrad Murray told him to phone 911.

Alvarez' testimony came during a preliminary hearing for Dr Murray.

The personal physician has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter and a judge is using the trial to see if there is enough evidence for a full trial.

On Wednesday (January 5), the hearing also heard from paramedic Richard Senneff, who said Dr Murray had not told him he had given Jackson the medical anaesthetic, propofol.

The drug, which is normally used during medical operations, was one of a number of drugs attributed to Jackson's death in June 2009.

Earlier this week, prosecutor David Walgren said Dr Conrad Murray asked a security guard to hide medical paraphernalia when he realised Jackson had died.

He also claimed that Dr Murray did not perform CPR properly and only alerted authorities to Jackson's condition after he had died, reports BBC News.

The preliminary hearing is expected to last several days.

(by Jason Gregory)