A driver has admitted causing a collision between his van and a train at a level crossing at Halkirk.

Twenty-year-old Lee Sutherland claimed he did not see a red light at the crossing at Hoy as he peered into a low sun.

Wick Sheriff Court was told on Monday that the accident, in January, had been the result of a momentary lapse of concentration.

His van ploughed into a Wick-bound Sprinter train on January 9. The 20-year-old was taken to hospital in Wick and discharged after treatment for shock and a wrist injury.

The five passengers and three staff aboard the late morning train, which had just left Thurso, were unhurt.

The court heard Mr Sutherland could lose his job if he was banned from driving. Sheriff Andrew Berry said a ban would have imposed had Mr Sutherland been facing the original charge of dangerous driving.

He was fined £450 and imposed five penalty points on his licence.

Three people were killed when their car collided witha train in September last year at the nearby ungated crossing, to the south of Halkirk.