Nigel Gresham's Landrover went into the river on Witham Bank, near Tattershall Bridge, on September 16 last year. Four of his seven children; Willow, aged two, Angel, aged four, Thor, aged six, and Keavy, aged eight, died.

On Monday, Mr Gresham, 37, of Witham Drive, Chapel Hill, was charged with four offences of causing death by dangerous driving.

Jaswant Kaur Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for Lincolnshire, said: "This is a very sad case and we have spent a great deal of time reviewing the evidence and considering the public interest before making the decision to prosecute.

"It is not a decision which has been taken lightly given the tragic deaths of Mr Gresham's children and the loss he has suffered as their father."

Mr Gresham appeared before Grantham Magistrates on Monday.

He did not enter a plea but his defence indicated he would vehemently fight the charges. He was granted bail after a 30-minute and will next appear before a judge at Lincoln Crown Court on July 29.