A MAN has admitted causing the death of another motorist after the pair's high speed race ended in a fatal road smash.

Steven Charles George had been racing a vehicle driven by John Suthers at speeds of up to 90 miles-per-hour along Manchester Road, Clowbridge, before the accident, police said.

Mr Suthers, who did not know George, was killed when his Vauxhall Nova was involved in a head-on collision with a Land Rover driven by Julie Anderton.

George, of Hordley Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Suthers' death by dangerous driving when he appeared before Burnley Crown Court today.

The 32-year-old, who had been driving a Subaru Impreza, also admitted failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

Judge Beverley Lunt told George that he would be going to jail before adjourning the hearing for reports.

She added: "The real question is going to be how long that custodial sentence is going to be."

The defendant, father of a six year old child, and said by his barrister to have "an impeccable driver record in the past" was remanded on unconditional bail to be sentenced on January 17.

His counsel, Philip Curran, said the crash, which occurred in October 2006, was a tragedy for everyone's family including the defendants.

Mr Suthers, 34, had moved to Kirkwall in the Orkney Isles in 2005 but had been back in Lancashire visiting his family, who lived in Rawtenstall.

Sergeant Martin Bishop, of the road policing unit, said after the hearing that the pair had been racing each other, reaching speeds of 90-miles per hour on 30 to 40mph roads.

He said: "Witnesses say Mr Suthers bleeped the throttle of of his Nova and that was perceived to be a challenge.

"Mr Suthers drove off and minutes later George set off at speed.

"Then for the next two miles they were seen to be racing.

"A number of witnesses observed them at various points driving well in excess of the speed limits travelling extremely close to each other."

Mr Suthers, 34, lost control of his car as he drove around a right hand bend crashing into a Land Rover travelling in the opposite carriageway, he added.

He sustained multiple injuries and died from serious head injuries.

Sgt Bishop said: "Steven George entered into this as a joint venture and because of this he is facing imprisonment for a race with somebody he did not know."

Miss Anderton, who works at Boundary Garage on Burnley Road, was seriously injured in the accident.

She damaged her right ankle, both knees and she is waiting to have an operation on her right leg, as it has been in plaster five times this year.

She said: "These two were driving like maniacs.

"Speed kills and whatever police can do to get people to slow down is a priority. I see people speeding down Burnley Road every single day.

"People should be more aware of the devastation speeding can cause.

"It was a traumatic experience, especially because someone was killed, but hopefully I can put it behind me now."

Mr Suthers' parents, Jennifer Mattinson and Fred Suthers, declined to comment after the case.