A teenage girl has appeared in court accused of knocking down and killing a cyclist on the Old Thanet Way while more than twice the legal drink drive limit.

Bethany Mackie, 18, stood in the dock at Canterbury Magistrates' Court this morning facing charges of causing death by dangerous driving, drink driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

It is alleged she was driving a Peugeot 206 when it hit dad-of-three Christian Smith near Chestfield as he neared the end of a charity ride.

She and a 19-year-old man from Herne Bay were arrested following the crash in the early hours of March 22 this year.

Mackie, of Beltinge Road, Herne Bay, was charged last month and the man was released.

Accompanied in court by her mum, she spoke only to confirm her name and address and there was no indication of how she will plead.

She is alleged to have had 73 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath at the time of the crash – the legal limit is 35.

The case was sent to Canterbury Crown Court, where Mackie is due to appear next month. She was released on unconditional bail until then.

Mr Smith, 38, from Boughton Aluph, was completing the last leg of a 248-mile round Kent ride to raise money for the mental health charity Mind when he was hit at 4am.

News of his death led to an outpouring of sympathy and donations to his Just Giving page raced to more than £80,000.