A NEW law banning drivers from using mobile phones has led to a fatal road crash.

Margaret Constance Mullings, 80, of Alderside Crescent, Lanchester, died when her husband's car ran into the back of a parked council van.

The van driver had pulled over to the side of the road to answer his mobile phone, in line with new Government legislation that came into force just days ago.

Inspector Colin Nixon of Durham police said: "The council employees had been travelling along the road and pulled into a lay-by to enable one of them to answer a mobile phone call."

The accident happened at about 3.30pm last Thursday, on the A693 road at Morrison Busty, near Stanley, when the Mullings' blue Austin Maestro car hit the stationary flat-back Ford Transit van.

Mrs Mullings suffered a heart attack. She was taken to Durham's University Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post-mortem revealed her death was due to natural causes.

Her husband, George Mullings, 81, was taken to the same hospital and was being treated for head and shoulder injuries. His condition was not thought to be serious.

The two workers in the Chester-le-Street Council van were shocked but unhurt and refused medical treatment.

Police believe blinding sunlight obscured Mr Mulling's vision in the seconds leading up to the tragedy and he made no effort to brake before the collision.

The couple had moved from St Austell in Cornwall to Lanchester about two years ago, to be nearer to their son, Peter, a sergeant with Durham Constabulary, and his ten-year-old daughter.

The family were too distressed to comment.

Neighbours in the village are still coming to terms with the tragedy.

One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "They were a lovely couple and very friendly. What has happened is shocking."

Another said: "This makes a good case for having to switch off your phone when you are driving, so you can't feel obliged to stop and answer it."

A spokesman for Chester-le-Street Council said: "This was a very unfortunate accident. The driver of the council vehicle was stationary because his mobile phone rang. Due to the new legislation, he had to pull into a lay-by."

Durham Police's Accident Unit is appealing for witnesses to contact them on 0191-375 2159.