A 47-year-old man has appeared in court charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving after a double fatal smash near the Powys/Shropshire border.

Istvan Kottorman was arrested after Ken and Daisy Davies, of Bron y Buckley, Welshpool, died when their grey Rover 214 was involved in a crash with a heavy goods vehicle near Llandrinio on Wednesday.

Kottorman appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon.

No plea was entered and he was remanded in custody to appear before Mold Crown Court on April 17.

Mr Davies, 77, and Mrs Davies, 78, have been described by shocked residents as “a proper Welshpool couple”.

Brian Evans, a family friend from Welshpool, said: “I was totally shocked to hear the news. I would see Ken every day and I can’t believe they have died.

“They were a lovely couple, a proper Welshpool family born and bred and have lived here all their lives.

“It is an extremely sad time for the town as they were very well known throughout the area.”

The couple, who had family in Four Crosses, died following the collision on the B4393 at a junction known locally as Crabtree Corner at 11.20am.

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “This is very sad, they were a close family, with I think three sons and a daughter.

“They were very well thought of in the town and it seemed like they knew everyone.”

Councillor Ann Holloway, Welshpool mayor, said the news had “really upset” her.

“They were proper Welshpool people, so nice but as straight as anyone you could meet,” she said.

Mr Peter Taylor, the coroner’s officer for Powys, said an inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday afternoon.

“An inquest into the deaths of a 79-year-old man and a 78-year-old woman were opened and adjourned following post mortem tests,” he said.

Anyone with any information on the crash is being asked to contact Constable Marcus Wright at Newtown Police Station on 0845 3302000.