A VAN driver who killed four members of the same family in a crash on the A1 was today jailed for seven years.

Scott Easton had slept for just a few hours before he got behind the wheel of his Ford Transit for a work shift.

Teesside Crown Court was told that the 23-year-old had been drinking and then went to a party into the early hours.

On March 3, Easton ploughed into the back of a Citroen Saxo when his "drowsiness" meant he did not see the car.

The hatchback spun out of control, left the dual carriageway in North Yorkshire and collided with a row of trees.

Driver Neil Jex, 37, his fiancee Paula Gilbert, 29, and her sons Tristan, three, and seven-month-old Kaiden, were all killed.

Ms Gilbert's other son, eight-year-old Macauley, survived but suffered two broken legs and a broken wrist.

The accident happened on the A1 near Kirkby Fleetham, between Leeming and Catterick, at about 8.40am.

The family, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, had been travelling to Blackburn, Lancashire, to visit Mr Jex's relatives.

Easton, of Hebburn Road, Stockton, admitted four counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Judge David Bryant also banned Easton from the roads for seven years and ordered him to take an extended driving test.

Following the accident, Macauley was taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The air crew were so moved by his plight that they set up an appeal fund which raised £44,000.