A court has heard how a Macclesfield born pensioner died in a tragic road accident after her best friend pulled out at a dangerous road junction.

Beryl Moss, 80, passed away in the Royal Stoke Hospital after her friend Maire Gibson struck a HGV lorry as she attempted to turn onto the A534 near Nantwich.

Mrs Moss, who was registered blind, was renowned for her fundraising across Cheshire, particularly for cancer charities and the Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Her fundraising work was recognized when she was named Cheshire Woman of the Year in 2009.

Her family said they attached no blame to Gibson and the district judge Nick Sanders agreed that the junction at Long Lane/ Wrexham Road in Burland was particularly dangerous for vehicles turning right.

The judge at South Cheshire Magistrates Court steered clear of imposing a community order on the defendant and fined her £1,600 while banning her from driving for 12 months and ordered that she take a re-test.

The judge said: "You were physically injured in the collision and perhaps most poignantly Mrs Moss was your neighbour and good friend."

Wendy Moores, Beryl's half-sister, said that her relative had worked as a midwife in Cheshire and had delivered over 200 babies while later working as a lecturer in midwifery at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Wendy said: "Beryl lost her eyesight in her 70s but she adapted amazingly. She raised funds for the guide dogs charity with quiz nights and events.

"She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and had a mastectomy but it was an illness she faced with courage and her fundraising then extended to cancer charities.

"Maire was a godsend to Beryl, she organized her diary and took her to appointments and did her household chores as Beryl was less able to do so because of her age and the onset of dementia.

"When Beryl passed away it was very difficult to break the news to her many good friends who had helped her over the years."

Mrs Moores added: "The collision could have happened to anyone. While there was blame we don't wish to act on it. We don't believe any further justice will be served by punishing Maire. Beryl's death has left a hole in the family."

Prosecutor Adam Till said that CCTV footage showed the crash had been a very short incident in which Gibson had pulled out in a 4x4 at the junction.

She told police at an interview at Nantwich police station that her and her friend had left a local café to travel home, the road junction was busy and she waited. But when she did make a right turn the lorry was on top of her and she said it all happened "very quickly".

The defendant suffered 12 broken ribs, a broken arm and fractures to her spine and pelvis in the collision. Mrs Moss suffered "extremely serious injuries" and was taken to the Royal Stoke where it was eventually decided to move her onto a palliative care ward.

Gibson, aged 80, Bank Head, Wrexham Road, Bulkeley, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving on October 9, 2019.

She told police that she "couldn't put into words" how she felt as she had "lost a very dear friend".

David Chant, mitigating on behalf of the defendant, said that she was of "positive good character" and the accident in question was at a "notorious local junction".

Following the sentencing, Police Constable Iain Condliffe, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This was a tragic incident which sadly resulted in the death of an 80-year-old woman.

"This has been devastating for both Beryl's family, and for Mrs Gibson, as the pair were such close friends.

"Hopefully a positive can come out of this tragedy by it convincing other motorists of the need to always drive safely and be patient at junctions.

"As this incident shows, taking chances behind the wheel can lead to devastating consequences for all concerned.

"Our thoughts remain with Beryl's family at this difficult time, and we hope that they can begin to move forward with their lives.

"We also hope that the conclusion of this case will provide some closure for the driver of the HGV involved in the incident. Through no fault of his own, he has been left with the memories of what happened that day, something which he will no doubt never be able to forget."

Mrs Moores relatives revealed they had served a complaint on the Royal Stoke Hospital regarding the care she had received but it had been put on hold because of Covid-19 issues.