Elizabeth Gregson, 68, was killed after Andrew Kelly's Renault Clio crashed into the car she was riding in on Clifton Drive South, Fairhaven, just over a year ago.

A jury took just 10 minutes to find 20-year-old Kelly guilty, following a trial at Preston Crown Court.

During the three-day hearing he admitted speeding at 48mph, 18mph over the 30mph limit, in the lead up to the incident.

Witnesses said Kelly had been overtaking vehicles "like a rocket," before colliding with the Rover that Mrs Gregson's husband, Peter was driving.

When Mr Gregson moved to turn into St Paul's Avenue off Clifton Drive South, Kelly was unable to avoid a collision.

Drivers also told the trial there was "an explosion" when the vehicles crashed.

Jeremy Leeson, of Clifton Drive South, said he was pulling out of his driveway when his partner Jennifer called out a warning.

He added: "My wife shouted 'watch out'. The car was on the cross hatching in the middle of Clifton Drive. Having been surprised by the car, I pulled over.

"I looked in my mirror and saw what looked like an explosion, there was a big cloud of dust and parts of cars flying up in the air."
Mr Leeson estimated the car was going "at least 50mph" – despite the road limit being 30mph.

Graham Barnet who was driving his Saab 93 in the opposite direction also told the court that Kelly's car was, "going as fast as the vehicle could possibly go".

An accident investigation concluded Kelly's car would have stopped a metre short of a collision if he had been doing 30mph.

Judge Beverly Lunt has now warned Kelly, of Preston Road, Lytham, he will face a custodial term.

He will be sentenced on December 23.