A DRIVER has appeared in court charged with killing a grandfather by careless driving.

Michael Stockton suffered fatal injuries when his motorbike was involved in a collision with the HGV tipper truck being driven by Andrew Patton.

The crash happened in Bradford Street, The Haulgh, on September 5 last year.

Patton, aged 32, of Holyoake Road, Worsley, appeared at Bolton Magistrates Court yesterday charged with causing death by careless driving.

Magistrates adjourned the case and referred it to Bolton Crown Court.

Patton will attend a preliminary hearing on January 17.