Blackburn magistrates heard how the Mercedes driven by Richard Cook crossed onto the wrong side of the A671 at Whalley before hitting a car driven by Elizabeth Jephson, formerly of Padiham. Her vehicle was knocked off the road and Cook's car then collided with a Volvo.

The court heard Cook had been driving towards Accrington, approaching the lights at Spring Wood picnic site where the road widens into a dual-carriageway. But before the road widened he crossed the white line with tragic consequences.

Cook, of Read Hall Farm, Read, admitted driving without due care and attention. He was fined £500 with £75 costs, banned from driving for three months and ordered to take a re-test.

Miss Pat Bramley (prosecuting) said the reason Cook crossed onto the opposite carriageway was not apparent. "There is no suggestion he was speeding or making a dangerous manoeuvre," said Miss Bramley.

The Volvo driver said one car had swerved into a lay-by to avoid a collision, but Mrs Jephson's car was hit and went off the road.

Cook told police he had a "minor lapse of concentration" and believed he was closer to the dual-carriageway section of the road.

Mr Gwyn Lewis (defending) said: "Whatever penalty you impose can never reflect the anxiety and loss to the family of this lady. My client says he will never be able to get over being involved in this incident."

Mr Lewis said Cook passed his driving test in 1954 aged 17 and had never been in an accident. "He has regularly driven up to 45,000 miles a year and he has calculated he has driven well over a million miles," said Mr Lewis. Cook had been to the National Railway Museum in York on the day of the crash and his grandsons were in the car with him.

"What the law attempts to do is look at the criminality and not the consequences," said Mr Lewis. "My client has made a mistake and it shows all of us bear a heavy responsibility when we get behind the wheel of a car."