Jasmine Allen died after the minibus overturned in the crash

Jasmine Allen, 12, died in May 2005 when the minibus she was in overturned at Hafodrynys Hill, near Crumlin.

Christopher Cushing, 38, has denied causing death by dangerous driving at Cardiff Crown Court.

The judge wants an explanation for the delay as the prosecution and defence want more time to examine the mini-bus.

Jasmine died when the mini-bus - in which she and nine school friends were travelling in to Newbridge Comprehensive School - overturned at Hafodrynys Hill in Crumlin, south Wales on 16 May.

Ten children were travelling in the bus when it overturned

At a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, the judge said he wanted the chief prosecutor of Gwent to write to him and explain why it has taken so long for the evidence to be gathered in the case.

No trial date has yet been set, and it is not expected to open until after the Easter break in mid April.

The judge said: "The fundamental issue is that four young children are giving evidence and it is wholly unreasonable for children to have to wait a year to give evidence, it is quite wrong."

He added that it was the second time he had been forced to demand an explanation from the Crown Prosecution Service about the length of time taken to bring a case to trial.

Mr Cushing appeared before the court on Thursday to enter his plea of not guilty.

Prosecutor Susan Ferrier told the hearing: "Cushing does not accept his standard of driving was below normal. He felt a sudden loss of control before the minibus collided with another vehicle and overturned."