A LORRY driver will appear in court today charged with causing the death of a St Helens grandfather by careless driving.

Andrew Patton, aged 32, of Holyoake Road in Worsley, is alleged to have caused the death of Michael Stockton, a motorcyclist, by driving carelessly.

Mr Stockton suffered fatal injuries after the Honda motorbike he was riding was involved in a collision with an HGV tipper truck in Bradford Street, Bolton.

The crash happened on September 5, 2013.

Mr Stockton, from St Helens, was described by his family as being a “loving husband, father and grandfather”. He was on the way to work as a joiner when the crash happened.

He was said to have a lifelong interest in pigeons and was a successful breeder and racer.

Patton will appear at Bolton Magistrates' Court on Thursday (January 2)..