Two friends have been locked up for causing the death of a toddler after racing a car and motorbike through a town centre.

Demi Schwec suffered massive head injuries when she was hit by a speeding Honda Civic and died six days after the accident.

Driver David Garner was today jailed for three-and-a-half years and pal Neil Sullivan, who was racing him on his Honda 125cc, was caged for three years.

Garner, who will be 20 on Sunday, and 21-year-old Sullivan, both from Loftus, east Cleveland, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, and were also banned from the roads for ten years.

Judge Peter Bowers told them: "Nothing I do and nothing you can do can restore the life of Demi and the term of imprisonment that you receive cannot assuade the family's anger and reconcile the family to the loss they have suffered."

Demi's parents, Helen Dass, 20, and Kevin Schwec, 21, were among more than 20 relatives in the public gallery at Teesside Crown Court to see Garner and Sullivan sentenced.

They were too upset to talk after the case, but a statement was issued on behalf of the family which told of their "total devastation" at the loss of the "irreplaceable" two-year-old.

Prosecutor Chris Attwool told the court that the accident happened when Garner and Sullivan raced at speeds of up to 55mph from Coronation Road to High Street in Loftus at tea-time on September 9 last year.

Garner failed to negotiate a tight bend, mounted the pavement and ploughed into Demi and two 13-year-old girls she was with, who suffered just minor injuries.

Demi suffered serious head injuries and despite treatment at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, died on September 16, having sustained irreversible brain damage.

The family statement said: "The aftermath of grief, along with the total devastation Demi's death has caused, can never be explained. "The consequences her parents and we as a family have to face in dealing with this acute loss in our lives can never be put into suitable or coherent words today.

"These individuals had a total disregard and respect for human life, and their only thoughts were to drive at excessive speed with no consideration for the consequences of their actions."

Garner's barrister Peter Makepeace, and Eric Elliott, for Sullivan, both told the court of their clients' "genuine remorse" and provided references from people in the community who spoke of their good character.

Mr Makepeace said: "Mr Garner entirely understands and appreciates the devastation to the family which results from his appalling actions and while it will sound hollow to the family and friends of the child, it is essential David Garner offers his most profound apologies for what happened."

Mr Elliott said tyre fitter Sullivan was shocked and trembling after the crash and will be mentally scarred for the rest of his life.

He added: "The only tangible way he can show to the public, to Demi's parents and to the outside world that shock and regret will remain forever is by what he did when he first came to this court and that's to enter a plea of guilty."