A driver recklessly pulled on to a motorway causing another car to swerve and catapult across the road, killing the young woman driver instantly, a court heard.

Recruitment officer Nichola Payne, 28, died when her Vauxhall Corsa spun on to the opposite side of a dual carriageway and landed on its roof. Her two passengers survived the crash on the A1M on September 7, last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the car was forced to swerve after probation officer David Firbank, 43, pulled out in front of them as he made his way on to the motorway.

The court heard how the accident happened as the three Orange recruitment officers were returning home to Darlington after a conference on Tyneside.

As they passed the junction for the A194M a blue Peugeot 306, driven by Firbank, pulled out in front of them from a slip road, causing Miss Payne to swerve violently.

Stephen Duffield, prosecuting, said: "David Firbank pulled out into the A1 in front of Nichola, causing her to have to take evasive action.

"She lost control of the car as she swerved into her right to avoid the Peugeot coming to her from the left. The back end of her car swerved round and the car struck the central reservation. It went up into the air and landed on its roof on the northbound carriageway, on the other side of the road."

Mr Firbank, of Ryelands Way, Pity Me, County Durham, told police Nichola was already struggling to keep control of the car when he spotted her.

He denies causing death by dangerous driving.

The trial continues.