A driver from Upper Brynamman jumped a red light and almost hit a freight train, a court heard today.

Michael Turner, aged 28, failed to notice flashing red lights or hear the train driver sounding a horn and came within four feet of colliding with the train.

Turner, of New Road, was fined £350 and ordered to pay £185 in costs and a court charge.

Tom Scapens, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that the train driver, David Henry, stopped at the crossing in Gwaun Cae Gurwen and twice sounded a horn.

Signalman Martin Davies could see the road was clear and waved him through.

But as he moved forward Turner's car suddenly appeared and Mr Henry had to brake hard to avoid a crash.

Turner stopped 70 yards further on, walked back to the scene and asked Mr Davies to apologise to the train driver on his behalf.

The court heard that Turner had turned onto the road a short distance from the crossing and may not have been aware of some of the warnings of an approaching train.

Judge Geraint Walters told Turner he had committed a combination of errors but it was in his favour that he apologised immediately afterwards.

Turner admitted careless driving.