The case of a former mayor of Worcester charged with causing the death of his wife in a car crash has been transferred to the crown court.

Aubrey Tarbuck, 88, also faces two allegations of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in October last year.

Magistrates at Telford sent the case to Shrewsbury Crown Court where Tarbuck will appear on July 16 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

His wife Anne died when their silver Volvo estate was involved in a collision with an Audi Q5 on October 26 last year.The accident happened near the Plume of Feathers restaurant at Harley Bank on the A458 Cressage to Much Wenlock road.

Tarbuck served as mayor in 2005 and was first elected as a Conservative councillor at Worcester City Council in 1966.

The Audi driver suffered chest injuries and his daughter suffered head and chest injuries. Both Mrs Tarbuck and the young girl were airlifted to hospital.

Tarbuck, of Hallow, Worcestershire, who suffered chest and pelvic injuries in the collision, was allowed bail.

Mrs Tarbuck lived in Hallow during the later part of her life.

She was the inspiration in Tarbuck picking Worcester Eye Unit as one of his three chosen charities for funding in 2005, revealing that she could have faced blindness without their support.