A couple who were on their way home after seeing their grandchildren were killed in a crash with a van which was being followed by police, a court has heard.

Lift engineer Ben Ord, 41, was arrested in the early hours of Saturday after the crash between a rental van and a Citroen C3 in Footscray Road in Eltham.

Robert and Shirley Wigzell, in their 70s, died at the scene on a 30mph road shortly after midnight, Bromley Magistrates' Court heard.

READ MORE: Man charged in connection with Eltham crash that killed elderly couple

Ord appeared by video link charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

The charges state he was at the wheel of a Ford Connect van.

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He was ordered to next appear in custody at the Old Bailey on March 25 for a pre-trial preparation hearing.

Several members of the couple's family sat in court, clinging to each other and fighting back tears.

They let out a small cheer when the hearing ended and left the court without comment.