The captain of a chemical tanker has appeared in a Sussex court charged with manslaughter over a man's death in a ship crash.

Brian Norcott D'esterre Roberts, 38, of Bally Macus in County Cork, Ireland, appeared before Hastings magistrates yesterday.

The case was adjourned until March 14 and he was bailed to appear at Lewes Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.

He was charged after a man died when two ships collided off the Sussex coast in October.

Wolfgram Gross, captain of The Ash cargo vessel, died at the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, after jumping into the sea when his ship sank.