A BANNED and speeding drink-driver who smashed into a wall, killing his schoolgirl partner and a close friend after a cocktail of drink and drugs, was today starting a six-year jail term.

David Cummins, 22, had never passed a driving test and was not insured.

He was twice the limit and was also said to have taken cannabis and ecstasy before he lost control of his van near the entrance to Haslingden Sports Centre, on February 1.

Victim Simon Ashman, 20, died almost instantly while front-seat passenger Chantelle Petterson, 15, was found lying next to the wall. but passed away after surgery in hospital. A third passenger, Neil Turner, survived.

Cummins, whose Rover Metro had no rear seats, was alleged to have been "flying," before the vehicle hit a kerb, then the wall and bounced off again.

He spent six days in hospital and told police he did not know if he had been at the wheel. The victims' bodies could not be released for six months while police established who had been driving.

A friend driving a car behind later told police Cummins had been "messing about," accelerating and slowing down, and he was said to have been travelling at up to 50mph in the 30mph zone.

Cummins, of Lime Road, Haslingden, admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving when unfit through drink, driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified and no insurance.

Sentencing at Burnley Crown Court, Judge Anthony Russell, QC, described the case as a terrible tragedy for all concerned.

Cummins was also banned from driving for six years.

David Pickup, prosecuting, told the court Cummins and the victims had been socialising with friends.

The defendant had been drinking and taking ecstasy but did not appear drunk.

About 11pm, Cummins agreed to take Simon Ashman and Neil Turner home.A second vehicle was occupied by some friends.

Mr Pickup said Mr Turner was later to describe how the van began to wobble as Cummins lost control. Stephen Hargreaves, driving the vehicle behind,recalled Cummins accelerating and then braking.

Mr Hargreaves saw Cummins's van swerve, hit the wall and then reported "bodies flying in all directions."

Cummins was arrested on February 18 and after caution said:"I can't remember anything." The van, although old, had no defects which could have caused the accident.

Mr Pickup said it was not clear what caused Cummins to lose control, but he was clearly intoxicated and drugs aggravated that. Tests showed Mr Ashman was moderately intoxicated. There was no evidence of drug misuse. Miss Petterson had not taken drink or drugs. Both died from head injuries.

The defendant, who told police he did not know if he had been the driver of the van, said he had probably had a few beers and some cannabis but had not takeN ecstasy for over two years.

The prosecutor said Chantelle's father Mark had found it difficult to come to terms with her death and her mother had collapsed after being allowed to see her daughter before the operation. Both had since raised money for Childline, a cause close to their daughter's heart, in her name.

Mr Ashman's father Neil had been called to the accident scene to deal with the dog and did not know his son was a victim. He had been unable to work and was being referred for counselling sessions. Mr Ashman's mother regarded her son as her best friend and had been in shock for a long time.