A FORMER Worcester mayor has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of his wife in a car crash.

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

Today's plea and trial preparation hearing was heard at Shrewsbury Crown Court. The Hallow resident's trial has been set for January 14.

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.

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.