A VAN driver is to appear in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a cyclist lost his life on the A31 between Farnham and Alton last year.

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 later from his injuries.

The incident happened at around 7.30pm on the evening of Wednesday, 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.

Christopher Gard, 30, of Linnets Way, Alton, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, and is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, March 3.