AN Alton man is to appear at Winchester Crown Court on April 6 charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a cyclist was killed on the A31 at Bentley last year.

Christopher Gard, 30, of Linnets Way, Alton, received unconditional bail after appearing at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.

Basingstoke cyclist Lee Martin, 48, was taken to hospital following a collision with a Ford Transit van near to the junction with Station Road in Bentley but died from his injuries. The incident happened around 7.30pm on August 12 when Mr Martin was cycling along the Farnham-bound carriageway of the A31, just north of the Bentley slip road.

A father of two, Mr Martin was a keen member of the North Hampshire Road Club and was taking part in a club time trial event. The van driver, who was unhurt, was later arrested in connection with the collision.