A VAN driver has been warned he faces a lengthy prison sentence after admitting killing four members of the same family in a horrific road crash.

Scott Easton, 23, admitted causing the deaths by dangerous driving of Paula Gilbert, 29, her fiance Neil Jex, 37, who is from Blackburn, and her sons Tristan, three, and seven-month old Kaiden.

They died when their red Citroen Saxo was involved in a collision with a blue Ford Transit van driven by Easton on the A1 near Kirkby Fleetham on March 3.

Ms Gilbert's other son, eight-year-old Macauley, survived but suffered two broken legs and a broken wrist when the hatchback left the road and hit a row of trees.

The family, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, had been travelling on the A1 to Blackburn to visit Mr Jex's relatives when the accident happened.

Easton, of Rushyford Avenue, Roseworth, Stockton-on-Tees, has been given bail, but was warned he faces a custodial sentence when he appears for sentencing at Teesside Crown Court on November 2.

Judge David Bryant said: "You should understand that granting you bail should not be regarded by you as any sort of indication of sentence.

"As your counsel has said a custodial sentence of some magnitude is inevitable in this case."

An interim driving disqualification was imposed banning Easton from driving effective immediately.

The family were driving to Blackburn to discuss a joint wedding with his brother Paul and his fiance.

Neil's father Tommy Jex of Accrington Road, Blackurn, said he was too upset to speak after Easton had pleaded guilty.

Paula, Neil and their boys, Tristan, three, and seven-month-old Kaiden, died at the scene.

Neil's brother Paul Jex said at the time: "They had just got engaged and me and my girlfriend are engaged so we decided to make it a double celebration.

"They were on their way to Blackburn so we could all sit down and decide on dates and details.

"We are just all completely devastated."

Macauley was airlifted to the James Cook Memorial Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance crews, who airlifted Macauley to hospital, called him 'Miracle Boy' and set up the Miracle Fund raising more than £40,000.

Macauley's grandparents, Don and Mary Gilbert, now care for him at their home on the Lukes Lanes estate in Hebburn, South Tyneside.

Before the end of term in July, Macauley had gone back to school on a number of occasions to ease him in.

But this week, he got back to his normal school routine, kitted out in a new uniform.