A driver who killed the stepbrother of Atomic Kitten pop star Liz McClarnon has been jailed for seven years.

Neil Cook, 20, was driving the Volvo at about 70mph in a 30mph zone in Liverpool when he lost control and hit a kerb.

Two teenagers were killed - including Liz McClarnon's stepbrother, 17-year-old Mark Cook, who was a passenger.

Neil Cook, who is unrelated to the dead teenager, admitted at Liverpool Crown Court causing death by dangerous driving.

Mark Cook was Liz McClarnon's step-brother

The second dead teenager was Joseph Walker, 18, who was a passenger in the car.

He also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and causing grievous bodily harm to two teenage girls who were in the car.

He was sentenced to seven years in a young offenders' institution for causing the deaths.

The crash happened at about 0400 BST on 17 May 2002 in Edge Lane Drive when Cook lost control and struck a kerb.

The car then spun in mid-air and crashed into a house on the other side of the dual carriageway.

Tried to escape

Mark Cook, who was a passenger in the front seat, was thrown from the vehicle and died instantly.

Cook, who suffered broken ribs, then tried to flee the scene but was detained by a passing motorist, the court heard.

Rear seat passenger Hayley Thomas was also thrown from the car, suffering serious injuries, and will remain in hospital for at least another year, the court heard.

Judge David Clarke told him the tragedy was of his own making, adding: "You will always live with that just as the survivors and relatives of those victims must live with it too."