A doctor from Slough has become the first defendant to go on trial at the Old Bailey since the Covid-19 lockdown.

Some jurors donned face masks and they were seated two metres apart as the trial of Dr Mohammad Tahir got under way in the largest courtroom at the historic central London venue.

Tahir is charged with causing the death by careless driving of a motorcyclist on the Embankment at Chelsea, west London, in 2017.

The Old Bailey is one of four courts earmarked to begin new cases on Monday since the Lord Chief Justice called a halt to trials on March 23.

Before being sworn in, Judge Richard Marks QC broke with tradition and used a microphone to address 27 potential jurors in the hallway outside the court.

To allay any concerns they might have, he detailed efforts that had been made to ensure their safety.

The judge, who is Common Serjeant of London, told them: "We are living, are we not, in very challenging times and it would be remiss of me not to address your concerns during the pandemic."

Jurors heard how social distancing measures had been put in place, and the building had been thoroughly cleaned and inspected before they arrived.

Jurors were ushered to seats in the courtroom spaced two metres apart which are normally reserved for barristers, who swapped places and sat in the jury box.

The victim's family, police officers and three members of the press were also able to sit in the large court, and an overflow court was provided for anyone else to watch by live video-link.

Judge Marks said: "Please do not be shy about this. If you have concerns then I really do want to know about it."

None of the jurors raised any objections.

Tahir, 45, of Slough, has denied causing the death by careless driving of Thomas Bailey on the morning of October 4 2017.

Mr Bailey was riding a motorcycle which collided with the defendant's Toyota Prius at the junction between Cheyne Walk and Battersea Bridge Road.

Prosecutor James Brown QC said: "The defendant turned across Mr Bailey's path as the defendant tried to make a right turn onto Battersea Bridge. Their vehicles collided and Mr Bailey sustained fatal injuries.

"The Crown's case is that the defendant was careless in executing the right turn.

"In other words, he was not paying sufficient care and attention. Such a turn against the traffic always requires the driver to be satisfied as to whether there is any oncoming traffic.

"Mr Bailey was there to be seen, riding a motorcycle along a straight road with the headlight and at least one sidelight illuminated.

"The prosecution case is that the defendant simply didn't look properly at the road ahead before he turned."

The case is due to go on for up to two weeks.

Two other ongoing trials at the Old Bailey restarted last week with staggered sitting hours.

Other preliminary, plea and sentencing hearings have continued to be heard by Skype and telephone conference, despite the crisis.

Other new trials began at Cardiff, Bristol and Manchester Minshull Street Crown Courts.