A VAN driver involved in an accident in which four members of a family died has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Scott Easton, 22, from Stockton, will appear before magistrates in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday.

Paula Gilbert, 29, her fiance, Neil Jex, 37, and her sons Tristan, three, and Kaiden, seven months, died in the accident near Kirkby Fleetham, between Leeming and Catterick, North Yorkshire, on Saturday, March 3.

Their car, a red Citroen Saxo, was involved in the accident with a blue Ford Transit van driven by Mr Easton on the southbound A1 at about 8.40am.

The family's hatchback left the road and hit a row of trees. The couple and the two children died instantly.

Ms Gilbert's other son, Macauley, eight, survived, but suffered two broken legs and a broken wrist.

He was taken to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Medics were so moved by his plight that they set up an appeal fund, which attracted donations from across the country.

The appeal, named the Miracle Fund because the crew felt it was a miracle Macauley survived, was closed last week after it collected £44,000.

The money will be held in a building society account until a trust fund for Macauley can be finalised.

Mr Easton was arrested at the scene of the accident and taken to Northallerton police station for questioning, before being released on bail.

He was unhurt, but police said that he was severely traumatised.

A police spokesman said: "A 22-year-old man has been charged with four counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

"He has been bailed to appear before Northallerton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, May 30."

The family, of Hebburn, South Tyneside, had been travelling to Lancashire to visit relatives when the accident happened.

The police spokesman said: "The families do not wish to comment at this time."

Macauley has lived with his uncle and grandparents in Hebburn since he was discharged from hospital.

He hopes to have the casts removed from his legs in the next few weeks and return to Bede Burn Primary School, in Jarrow, South Tyneside.