A MAN accused of causing the deaths of two girls in a car crash appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday.

Lily Butterfield-Godwin and Abbey Rogers, both 19 and from the New Forest, died after the car they were travelling in crashed into a wall in Gosport Lane, Lyndhurst, on December 13 last year.

James Battrick, of Old Romsey Road, Cadnam, is charged with two counts of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drugs, two counts of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit of alcohol, and one count of possessing cannabis.

The 21-year-old, who appeared in court using crutches with a medical brace on his leg, spoke only to confirm his name.

He was released on bail to return to court for a plea and case management hearing on August 7.

Lily and Abbey died at the scene of the crash, which happened just after midnight on December 13 last year.

They were being given a lift home after a night out at The Stag Hotel in Lyndhurst, where Lily worked part-time as a barmaid.

Lily was also a nanny at Teddies Nursery, and Abbey worked as a stylist at The Velvet Rooms in Lymington.

The girls, who shared a birthday, were both former pupils of Hounsdown School in Totton.