A man has admitted causing death by dangerous driving after he was involved in a crash on the M66 which killed a pregnant mum-of-two from Oldham and left two young boys seriously injured.

Frankie Hough, from Chadderton, was in the car with her two sons, Tommy and Rocky, and her nephew, Tobias, on Saturday, May 13 when she was crashed into.

The family was taken to hospital by air ambulance but the 38-year-old and her unborn baby girl, Neeve, died two days later.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts

Ms Hough's nine-year-old son, Tommy, and her four-year-old nephew, Tobias Welby, have now left hospital, where they were in critical care, but still require ongoing physiotherapy.

Tobias' family shared last month that the four-year-old was placed in an induced coma with a brain injury and a fractured skull.   

Adil Iqbal, 22, of Hope Street, Accrington, has been charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving in relation to the death of Frankie Hough, one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to the injuries sustained by Tommy, full name Thomas Spencer, and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to the injuries sustained by Tobias Welby.

Appearing before Manchester Minshull Street Court today (Monday) Iqbal, represented by Balbir Singh, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury in relation to injuries sustained by Tommy.

The court is currently awaiting more medical evidence to support count three, causing serious injury by dangerous driving in relation to the injuries sustained by Tobias Welby.

Iqbal is set to be arraigned on count three on Wednesday, July 19.

Judge Maurice Greene is set to sentence Iqbal that same day for counts one and two  and has ordered a pre-sentence report. 

Iqbal has been refused bail and will remain in custody until then.

At an inquest opening into Ms Hough's death last month the court heard that it is believed she pulled into the hard shoulder on the M66 to answer a phone call.

During the hearing at Rochdale Coroner's Court police coroners officer Tracy Bunn said Ms Hough was on the M66 heading towards Manchester when she pulled over to the hard shoulder.

PCO Bunn said it is believed she was answering a phone call and gave the cause of death as "head injuries".

Earlier this month a funeral was held at Blackley Crematorium for Frankie and her unborn daughter Neeve.

In a public post on social media, Frankie's sister, Becci Welby, announced the special service was being held to "celebrate the life of my beautiful sister Frankie and baby Neeve".

Following Frankie's death, tributes and donations to her and her family have poured in, with a GoFundMe page raising more than £50,000 in donations.

Her friend, Debbie Wright, who set up the appeal for funds, wrote: "Words cannot express what her family and friends are going through now, not to mention her poor boys who now have to grow up without their mummy and sister they never got to meet.

"Frankie touched the lives of so many with her beautiful, kind soul.

"Heaven has gained a true angel."