A VAN driver charged in connection with a crash in which four members of the same family died made his first appearance in court today.

Scott Easton, 22, of Hebburn Road, Stockton, is accused of four counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The charges relate to a crash on the A1 near Kirkby Fleetham, between Leeming and Catterick, North Yorkshire, on March 3.

Paula Gilbert, 29, her fiance, Neil Jex, 37, and her sons Tristan, three, and Kaiden, seven months, died when their red Citroen Saxo was involved in a collision with a blue Ford Transit van driven by Mr Easton. The family's hatchback left the road and hit a row of trees.

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