A Leyland policeman has been summonsed to appear in court to face charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

Police constable Philip Grover, 43, based at Leyland police station, will appear at Blackburn Magistrates' Court on Monday, October 17.

It follows an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), into the circumstances surrounding the death of Vivian Roberts, 63, of Croston, on February 3, this year.

Mr Roberts, a divorced father-of-two grown-up children, was the driver of a Fiat Punto that collided with a marked police vehicle responding to an emergency call at the junction of Schleswig Way with Dunkirk Lane, Leyland, on January 6, this year.

He suffered a fractured sternum and was in intensive care at the Royal Preston Hospital where he later died.

PC Grover, who is currently suspended from driving a police vehicle but not from police duties, suffered a triple fracture to his pelvis.

The incident was referred to the IPCC, which directed the investigation, conducted by Lancashire Constabulary.

The results were submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service which advised that PC Grover, a police officer for 24 years, should be summonsed for causing death by dangerous driving.

Mr Roberts's friend, Philip Lester, 52, from Ulnes Walton, near Leyland, said: "Viv was a lovely bloke who was well liked. He was very interested in the history of the First World War and we had been on a number of trips abroad to battle sites."

Coroner, Dr James Adeley, has been informed about Mr Roberts's death but an inquest date has yet to be set.