A van driver has appeared in court today to deny causing the death of 18-year-old cyclist Daniel Squire by driving dangerously.

The youngster died after being hit by a van on the A258 road, at Ringwould, in September last year.

Mr Squire, who lived in St Margaret's, was cycling to Deal to meet friends from the Deal Tri triathlon club group when the crash happened.

He was airlifted to King's College Hospital, in London, but died later.

Now Philip Sinden, 36, of New Townsend Far, Station Road, St Margarets-at-Cliffe will go on trial at Canterbury Crown Court in March next year.

The hearing, in which a number of experts are expected to give evidence, is scheduled to last five days.

Sinden pleaded not guilty to causing Mr Squire's death by driving his Vauxhall Vivaro van on the A258 Dover-to-Deal road dangerously. He was given bail.

Gary Holmes, vice-chairman of Deal Tri, had described Daniel as a "lovely lad", who was training for the 2014 Iron Man in Bolton.

"He was always happy, good company and mixed with club members much older as an equal," said Mr Holmes. "He will be sorely missed by everyone."