A teenager appeared in court today and denied causing the death of two friends in a car crash.

Landscape gardener Brett Hewson, 18, of Coombe Hill, Billingshurst, near Horsham, was charged with death by dangerous driving after William Richardson, 18, of Slinfold, near Horsham, and Asa Caudill, 19, of Billingshurst, died in the crash on Friday, July 5 last year.

He denied the counts at Lewes Crown Court.

The teens, both former Weald School pupils, were in a silver Peugeot 306 which left the road and collided with a tree in Slinfold, near Horsham.

Another 18-year-old was injured in the collision.

Hewson was driving a silver Opel Astra with three passengers behind the Peugeot.

He is next set to appear at the same court on April 1.