A MAN was last night charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a grandmother was mown down by a car which had been stolen from her sister.

Paul Wales, 47, will appear before magistrates in South Tyneside today following the crash in which 48-year-old Pamela Phinn died.

Mr Wales, of Gorst Street, Liverpool, has also been charged with robbery, criminal damage and two traffic offences.

Mrs Phinn died instantly after being struck by the car in Horsley Hill Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, at 2.10pm on Thursday. Her daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were also injured.

Police yesterday revealed the car involved had been stolen from Mrs Phinn's sister.

An armed thief forced Diane Dalton from her Honda Civic and drove off.

The car was being followed by police when it ploughed into Mrs Phinn, as she pushed a double buggy containing her grandchildren, 18-month-old Dean and his seven-month-old sister, Mia.

Both children, and their 29-year-old mother, Kelly Laws, were taken to South Tyneside District Hospital in a serious condition, although they were said to have improved yesterday.

Miss Laws was described as poorly but stable, while the two children were said to be progressing reasonably well.

Mrs Phinn, from nearby Salisbury Street, worked at the Asda supermarket in South Shields.

As colleagues placed flowers at the scene, store manager Debbie Carnell said: "We are absolutely devastated. Pamela was loved by everyone in the store and our hearts go out to her family."

An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission into the crash is under way, led by commissioner Nicholas Long, who said: "My thoughts are with the families and friends of the deceased and the injured.

"This incident was a tragedy of the worst kind. An innocent wom-an lost her life while out walking on a sunny afternoon.

"Our investigation will seek to estab- lish whether the pursuit that led to her death was in line with driving procedures laid down by Northumbria Police and whether any actions could have been taken to prevent this tragic death."

Witnesses are asked to call 0191- 454 7555, extension 65962.