AN Atherton man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a woman died in a crash in Bolton town centre.

Tinashe Irvine Chikoto, 22, of Devonshire Road, Atherton, has been charged with seven offences – causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, failing to report a collision, causing death while unlicensed, driving a motor vehicle without insurance, driving while unfit through drugs and perverting the course of justice.

He was remanded in custody and appeared before Bolton Magistrates Court today.

The woman who died has been named as 52-year-old Louise Wolstenholme from Bolton.

At 10pm on January 31 Louise, crossed over Bow Street at the junction of Crown Street when she fell over and remained in the road.

A short time later a bus and two vehicles are seen on CCTV slowing down and driving around her.

There was a short break in traffic before another car, a Ford Focus, collided with her.

The car then pulled up on Back Bridge Street and the driver abandoned the vehicle before contacting police later that night.

Paying tribute to her, Louise’s family said she was a ‘loving mother of Gaz and Brad and future mother-in-law to Vikee’.

She was mummy to Dougie the dog, partner to Rem and sister to Mark.

“She was loved by all her family, was a loving godmother to Jack and Olivia and was a faithful and loyal friend to many.

“Louise had a big heart as big as her personality and will be devastatingly missed.”

Her brother Mark Wolstenholme shared a story about the incident written by the Leigh Journal’s sister paper The Bolton News confirming it was his sister.

He posted: “I hate having to share this with you all.

“It is a living nightmare. It is my sister Louise Wolstenholme.

“I am getting so many confused messages and phone calls I felt I had to post this.

“What a sad loss to her sons and partner, me and much loved friends and family.”

Louise, who lived on Bury Road, Breightmet, owned a hairdressing salon on the same road called Louise’s Hair Studio.

The salon has been closed and a notice in the window reads: “Closed due to bereavement, further details to follow.

“Please respect the family’s wishes and privacy. Thank you.”

Friend Christine Kay, 56, who ran neighbouring Newtrend Hair and Beauty, had known Louise since opening her business 35 years ago.

She said: “She was vivacious, bubbly, friendly; a very, open, honest girl. She was a good friend.

“There was nothing bad about her. There was nothing to dislike.”

Tinashe Irvine Chikoto appeared at Bolton Magistrates' Court today, charged with causing her death by dangerous driving.

The 22-year-old, of Devonshire Road in Atherton, has been charged with numerous driving offences and appeared in the court room looking downcast, wearing jeans and a grey jumper over a white and blue stripped t-shirt.

Watched over by a gallery of the defendant's family and friends, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear in Bolton Crown Court on March 2.