A publican died in a car crash caused by "dangerous driving" by his partner after a wedding in Rivington, a court has heard.

Thomas Benson was in the front of an Audi A8 driven by Alicia Fairclough after the wedding at Rivington Hall Barn three years ago.

Today, Monday, Manchester Crown Court has heard how Mr Benson and Fairclough had a day of drinking at the event.

A jury of six men and six women heard how Mr Benson decided not to drive but Fairclough decided to drive although one eyewitness said they were "equally as drunk as each other".

Prosecutor Joe Boyd said ahead of the car crash she drove at more than double the limit of 30 miles per hour on Lever Park Avenue.

Mr Boyd said: "Does the driving fall far below that of a careful, competent driver? That is the issue."

Mr Boyd said: "The car was going far too fast for the bend and this was the cause of the collision."

Robert Hayes-Carr was driving in the other direction on the same road at the same time as the collision. He stopped after he heard a big bang.

Mr Hayes-Carr said Mr Benson was not in a seatbelt but Fairclough was in a seatbelt when he stopped to see both of them had serious injuries.

Mr Hayes-Carr said: "I told my girlfriend the car was going to crash because the car was going too fast. I heard a big bang and the car hit a tree."

Fairclough, of Fairways, Horwich, denies one charge of causing death by dangerous driving and one charge of causing death by uninsured driving.

The trial before Judge Patrick Field KC is ongoing.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.