Police have launched an investigation after it was alleged that the driver of a council refuse wagon which collided with a 66-year-old woman leaving her with fatal injuries did not have the correct licence classification.

Mrs Jean Eastwood died following the incident off Harwood Road, Rishton, on Monday, May 14 in 2007.

Mr Kevin Slattery, then 52 of Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, was later cleared by a court of driving without due care and attention at magistrates court.

Police say that recent information received by Lancashire Constabulary from Hyndburn Borough Council has revealed that at the time of the accident Mr Slattery did not possess the correct classification on his licence to drive the refuse wagon.

Officers say that they are in the very early stages of carrying out an investigation into all the circumstances.

Mrs Eastwood’s family have been informed.

A Hyndburn council spokesperson said; “The Chief Executive was made aware on January 7, 2016 that the driver involved in the accident in 2007 may have allowed the vocational part of his licence that enabled him to drive HGV’s to lapse at the time that the incident took place.

“After an initial investigation the chief executive reported the matter to the Police on January 8, 2016.

“Council staff are co-operating fully with the investigation.

“The Council has suspended the Head of Community Services whilst the investigation is underway.

“The Council is not able to comment further, or answer questions on the details around the case, as this is a matter subject to a police investigation.”

A police spokesman said: “At 12.45pm on Monday, May 14th 2007 a refuse wagon driven by Hyndburn Council employee Kevin Slattery collided with Mrs Jean Eastwood off Harwood Road, Rishton. She received injuries which proved fatal at the scene.

“Recent information received by Lancashire Constabulary from Hyndburn Borough Council has revealed that at the time of the accident Mr Slattery did not possess the correct classification on his licence to drive the refuse wagon and we are now in the very early stages of carrying out an investigation into all the circumstances.”