A MAN has appeared in court charged over a car crash which claimed the life of a Bridgwater man.

James Dickinson, 33, died after he was involved in a four-vehicle collision on the A69 near Bardon Mill in Northumberland on October 25 last year.

Mr Dickinson was driving a Honda Civic when the collision happened. A Mercedes camper van, a Citroen Picasso and a Ford Ka were also involved.

Mr Dickinson was taken to Hexham General Hospital but later died from his injuries.

On Tuesday, Michael Thomas Patrick Hughes, 43, of Chesham Green, Kenton, Newcastle, appeared at Tynedale Magistrates' Court.

He is charged with causing death while unlicensed and uninsured, and driving an over-weighted vehicle.

Prosecutor Cuthbert Regan told the court that tests showed Mr Dickinson had been taking heroin before driving and was spotted weaving from side to side on the busy dual carriageway moments before the crash.

He had also been working an unusually demanding shift pattern at work, and may have been lacking sleep, the court heard.

Mr Hughes did not enter a plea and elected to have his case heard at crown court.

He is due back before magistrates on May 18 for his case to be formally committed to Newcastle Crown Court.