A CORONER has recorded an open verdict in the death of a pensioner knocked down while he crossed a road.

Retired miner William Wright, 77, of Grasmere, South Moor, near Stanley, County Durham, suffered multiple injuries when a Land Rover Freelander struck him on the A693, near New Kyo, last April.

North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle adjourned the inquest in November to consider asking the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to review charges made against driver David Railton, 32, of Greenways, Delves Lane.

Mr Tweddle said yesterday he had suspected there might be grounds for bringing a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

But he told the hearing that, having heard back from the CPS and reviewed the evidence again, he had a slight doubt' about recording a verdict of unlawful killing.

Because he considered that the incident was "very close to being unlawful killing'', he could not record a verdict of accidental death.

Afterwards, a Durham Police spokeswoman said Mr Railton was to appear at Consett Magistrates' Court on Monday, charged with careless driving.