A CHEF cycling home from a New Year's party on his 32nd birthday was clipped by a van before being run over by a car on the A3 which caused "catastrophic injuries" that killed him.

Dad-of-two James Stephenson had celebrated his birthday at Applegarth Farmshop and Restaurant in Grayshott, where he worked, and had attended a New Year's party until 6am.

Knowing he would be drinking he decided to cycle to his Liphook home instead of using his car, as it would be "safer for the public", an inquest at Basing­stoke Magistrates' Court heard last Wednesday.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.