A NUCLEAR safety engineer struck a walker and killed his dog after a low-flying bird distracted her while driving, a court has heard.

Norma Birch of St Peter's Close, Pirton, near Pershore, gave the man a "glancing blow" with her vehicle's wing mirror after she rounded a corner on the A38, Worcester Road, only to be met by bright sunshine and a bird.

Outlining the case, a court clerk at Worcester Magistrates said the 38-year-old mother of two had admitted careless driving on Monday, January 27.

"The man was walking his dog. He stepped back from the verge, but said the vehicle still moved towards them. He was struck a glancing blow. Unfortunately the dog was killed. The client said she was distracted by a bird," he said.

In a statement read out by the clerk on behalf of defending solicitors Gaynor-Smith, Owen & Co, said the accident occurred on a narrow country road.

"As she rounded the bend she was distracted by the low glare of the sun and a bird, which she believed to be a collared dove," he said.

"She stopped with the injured party after the accident and called an ambulance for him. She was co-operative throughout the enquiries and has an exemplary driving record.

"It was a blow with a wing mirror on the car's passenger side."

Magistrates fined Birch £400 for careless driving, ordered her to pay £35 costs and five penalty points were put on her licence.