A 22-year-old man has appeared in court charged with seven driving offences after two men died in a crash in Teynham on New Year's Day.

Ashley Howard, of Newport, Isle of Wight, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth when he appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court today.

He is charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, two counts of causing death while uninsured, and two counts of causing death while unlicensed.

Michael Shepherd, 27, and Karl Buchan, 23, from Faversham, both died when a car crashed into an historic monument in London Road, Teynham in the early hours of January 1.

Another passenger, Rosie Crittenden, was seriously injured.

Howard's case was committed to Maidstone Crown Court.

He was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing, due to be on Tuesday, August 30.