A teenager has appeared in court charged with causing a crash which killed a 17-year-old girl.

Derren David Johnston, of Charles Close, Workington, has admitted causing the death of Bethany Ostle by careless or inconsiderate driving.

The 19-year-old appeared at Carlisle's magistrates' court where he entered a guilty plea to the charge.

It relates to a collision on the Tallentire to Bullgill Road, near Cockermouth, on Christmas Eve 2015.

A blue Fiat Punto and a white Mini Cooper were involved in the crash.

Bethany, from Seaton and Workington, was a passenger in the Fiat. She was taken to Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary but died a short time later.

Johnston, who was driving the Fiat, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

He was initially treated at the infirmary, but was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The 23-year-old driver of the Mini, from Cockermouth, also needed hospital treatment at the Cumberland Infirmary for serious injuries.

At the time Bethany's parents paid tribute to an "outgoing, confident, popular girl" with many friends.

They said while she died so young, they had "17 wonderful years together".

In the days after her death there was an outpouring of grief in west Cumbria.

Family and friends held a New Year's Eve vigil, releasing helium balloons and holding electronic candles as they remembered the Lakes College student.

Unfortunately strong winds prevented the group released lanterns in her memory but these were taken home to be released at another time.

District Judge Gerald Chalk, sitting in the Carlisle court, remanded Johnston on bail and referred the case to Carlisle Crown Court for sentencing.

Johnston was given an interim driving ban, pending sentence.