A TRACTOR driver has admitted causing the death by dangerous driving of a grandmother in a horrific crash in Taunton.

Carol Broxholme died after a trailer from a trailer driven by Jack Retter collided with her car in Bridgwater Road.

Retter, 21, of Viney Cross, Monkton, Devon, also admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Mrs Broxholme's daughter, Sherryann, when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court today (Tuesday).

Retter had previously pleaded not guilty to both charges, but changed his plea shortly before his trial was due to begin.

The trailer he was pulling on his tractor had become detached after a spring came loose, smashing into Mrs Broxholme's car.

Tests showed the trailer, which Retter, who was 19 at the time, had just bought in Weston-super-Mare, had 17 defects and should not have been on the road.

The trial was abandoned before the jury was due to be sworn in following legal exchanges between his defence counsel, Derek Perry, and Judge David Ticehurst.

The judge bailed Retter, whose family was in the public gallery, and adjourned sentencing after ordering a report.

Mrs Broxholme, from Wellington, had been on her way home from a Slimming World class at the time of the crash.

Sherryann, who was 25, was rushed to Southmead Hospital, in Bristol, with life-threatening injuries.

Mrs Broxholme, 59, left behind a son, Luke, daughters Tiffany and Sherryann, daughter-in-law Jo and twin grandchildren Josh and Layla.

She was originally from Scotland and moved around the UK before settling in Minehead and latterly in Wellington.

Following her death, her youngest daughter, Tiffany, said: "She was my best friend as well as a mum. I’m happy for the time I have had with her.

"When I lived with her it was us against the world. I loved her to pieces and I’m going to miss her so much."

Her daughter-in-law Jo said: "Carol was amazing. She was the best mother-in-law I could have had, she was always there for us all, always dependable.

"She always had a smile on her face, and always saw the positive side in everything and everyone.

"She was our ray of sunshine, she could make a dark day a brighter day.

"She was the centre of our family, she was our rock."