A learner driver has denied falling asleep at the wheel in a crash that killed a Chessington man.

Denise Williams-Yelbert, 32, of Keynsham Road, Morden, was giving evidence at Staines Magistrates' Court today where she is standing trial accused of driving without due care and attention.

Williams-Yelbert has denied careless driving in the crash on the A309 Kingston bypass at Hinchley Wood on May 6 last year.

Ian Ward, 37, a mechanic from Chessington, was hit as he cycled along the road about 8am.

Williams-Yelbert said she had taken a job as a carer in East Molesey at weekends after starting an access to healthcare course.

She said she left her home just before 7am on May 6 and was travelling on the A309 approximately 40 to 45 miles per hour when she first noticed Mr Ward.

Williams-Yelbert, who broke down giving evidence, said: "I saw him metres before I got to him. He just swayed into the road. Everything just happened so quickly.

"I tried to brake. I got out of my car and came back to check."

Williams-Yelbert, originally from Ghana, told the court she had a Ghanaian driving licence and had had 23 lessons in the UK after applying for a provisional licence in June 2004.

She has already pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Andrew Morris, defending, asked Williams-Yelbert why she had refused to answer questions when interviewed by the police on the day of the crash.

She said: "I had a lot of emotions. I don't know whether I was stressed, angry - so many things were going through my head at the time.

"I cannot believe the whole thing - it all feels like a dream."

Lee Harris, prosecuting, asked Williams-Yelbert why she drove to work without supervision knowing she only had a provisional licence.

She said: "Because at the time I was driving I was under the impression I could use my Ghanaian licence to drive.

"I was not ignoring the laws of the country - I would not do that."

When asked by Mr Morris why she hadn't taken her full driving test, Williams-Yelbert said: "I never had the opportunity - I was busy with my school work."

Under cross-examination by Mr Harris, Williams-Yelbert denied falling asleep at the wheel on the morning of the crash saying she had gone to bed at 9.30pm the previous night.

She was also adamant that Mr Ward swerved into her lane and she had not crossed into the hard shoulder area.

She said: "I'm very sure I wasn't asleep. The impact took place in my lane."

The trial continues.