A van driver has admitted his careless driving caused the death of a father-of-two from Aylesham.

Tihomir Todorov, 29, was driving his vehicle along the A2046 near the village when it struck a Peugeot with Ken Milburn, 64 at the wheel.

Mr Milburn was on his way to work at a truck depot in Lydden at 7.30am on November 10 last year when he was killed in the crash that involved three vehicles.

Todorov, of Jacinth Drive, Kemsley, Sittingbourne, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and will be sentenced in December.

Judge Michael O'Sullivan issued an interim order banning him from driving until the hearing, when he will be formally disqualified.

Mr Milburn's family sat with police officers in the public gallery at Canterbury Crown Court for the 15-minute hearing.

The judge was told they had only found out about the hearing "at the very last minute" and had wanted to attend.

Judge Michael O'Sullivan said: "The fact the family were only told at the last minute is unacceptable."

He added that in another similar case, the victim's family only discovered the sentence of a defendant when they heard it on the radio.

He ruled Todorov should be sentenced on December 4 after the preparation of a probation report.

Tihomir Todorov will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court

After the tragedy last year, a spokesman for Mr Milburn's family paid tribute to him.

They said: "He was one of the best - a great dad, brother and grandad. He will be missed by so many.

"He was a family man who loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and was looking forward to his retirement next year.

"It is such a shock that he has now been taken away from his family and friends. Life will not be the same without him. His love was so strong and he would help out everyone in his family.

"His funeral service was a tribute to how special he was and we would like to say a big thank you to all that attended. We were overwhelmed by the number that paid their respects."

Todorov was granted bail on condition he lives and sleeps in Sittingbourne each night until the sentencing after being told by the judge: "The fact that I am granting bail should not be taken as an indication that you will receive anything other than a custodial sentence."