Both the occupiers of a cottage and a police officer who was on the scene within minutes of a 999 call said the milkman Andrew Taylor was obviously dead in the road.

In the darkness, moaning noises could be heard and the motorcyclist, as well as his pillion passenger were then discovered, seriously injured, Preston Crown Court was told.

Kawasaki rider James Ascroft is charged with causing the death of Mr Taylor by careless driving while unfit through drink.

The 43-year-old defendant, of Smithy Cottage, Carrs Green, Inskip, Preston, denies the allegation.

His injuries were so severe that he lost his left leg below the knee and his pillion passenger, a 41-year-old woman, also lost her leg, the trial has heard.

The horrific accident happened in a night in July last year on Newsham Hall Lane, Woodplumpton.

The 45-year-old milkman, who died of multiple head and chest injuries after being carried almost 30 yards when hit by the bike, was delivering as usual to the country cottage.

His Ford wagon was parked at the gate with the engine running and dipped headlights on the wrong side of the road, the jury has been told.

The motorcycle "undertook" the parked milk vehicle on its inside before hitting a gate and Mr Taylor.

It is the prosecution case that the rider was impaired by drink and driving without due care and attention.

Nearly three hours after the fatal crash he was found to be just over half the legal alcohol limit.

Evidence will be given as to his probable alcohol reading at the time of the crash but the prosecution allege that alcohol did affect his driving.

Cottage owner Roger Rowlands said in a statement read to the trial that he knew his regular milkman.

After hearing a loud crash he ran outside, kicking debris away.

"I found Andrew - I knew he was dead," he said. "I noticed a male in the hedgerow who was moaning."

PC Anthony Hughes, who was the first officer at the scene told the trial that a doctor later pronounced Mr Taylor dead at the scene.

The headlights were dipped with the engine idling, he added.

(proceeding)