A LORRY driver from Evesham will stand trial over a horror crash on the M1 that left eight people dead.

Polish national Ryszard Masierak, 31, of Evesham, and fellow lorry driver David Wagstaff, 53, both pleaded not guilty to eight counts of death by dangerous driving and four counts of causing serious injury at Aylesbury Crown Court today (Friday).

Masierak also pleaded not guilty to eight counts of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed alcohol limit.

Wagstaff, of Stoke, pleaded guilty to eight lesser charges of causing death by careless driving, and four counts of careless driving.

However, prosecutor Peter Shaw said the Crown sought a trial for Mr Wagstaff on the more serious charges he denies.

Minibus driver Cyriac Joseph and seven Indian passengers en route to London were killed, and four others were seriously hurt, in the horror smash near Milton Keynes on August 26.

It is alleged that Mr Masierak's Skania HGV was stationary in lane one of the southbound M1 at Newport Pagnell in Bucks at 3.15 in the morning of Saturday, August 26.

The minibus is said to have slowed down and stopped when it was hit from behind by Mr Wagstaff's Mercedes lorry.

The two men will stand trial on February 26 next year.