An 86-year-old man has appeared in court following the death of a woman when his car crashed into a Costa Coffee on Christmas Eve.

David Lord, of Croydon Road, Westerham, was summonsed to Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court this morning where he was formally charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Lord listened intently throughout the brief hearing and when asked by magistrates if he could hear them responded "no, not really."

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He entered no plea and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday, August 2.

Valerie Deakin, 74, was sitting with her family near the window of the shop in Market Square when the tragedy happened.

VIDEO: Our reporter Ed McConnell was at today's hearing and gave us the latest

The mother of two, from Udimore, East Sussex, was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement released by her family, Mrs Deakin was described as a "modest" and "kind" woman who shared a love for all creatures - big and small.

Her husband Paul said: "At 10.30am on Christmas Eve, 2015, Val, my lovely wife of 50 years, was enjoying a cuppa inside the Costa Coffee café, Westerham, accompanied by her eldest daughter and best friend.

"The shock and loss are indescribable. Modest, kind, exceedingly hard working and above all caring she loved all creatures, great and small, with a passion. We adored her. Rest in peace."

The driver and his passenger were among five seriously injured in the smash, which left the Audi embedded in the side of the building.