Two men who raced their cars along the A217 have been jailed for killing three pensioners by dangerous driving.

Adrian Kuti, 42, a plant manager from Mitcham driving a Porsche Cayenne, and Richard Cherry, 31, a quantity surveyor from Carshalton driving a Toyota Celica, were racing along the A217 about 5.40pm on March 31 last year when the Porsche collided with a Proton driven by 78-year-old Joan Harp near Burgh Wood.

She was returning home from playing bingo with three other friends in the car.

Mrs Harp and two of her friends - 83-year-old Katheleen Deards and 83-year-old Joan Clover - died following the crash.

The other passenger, a woman aged 86, survived but sustained serious and life-altering injuries.

At Guildford Crown Court heard this week that Kuti and Cherry had been racing, showing off and driving at speed, aggravating factors that led to them both being sentenced to seven years' jail.

Surrey Police collision investigator Chris Annetts said there was no excuse for racing on public roads.

"Mr Kuti and Mr Cherry were racing at speeds well in excess of the road's 40mph limit," he said.

"Their recklessness led to the death of three friends who were driving home after enjoying an afternoon together.

"There is no excuse for such irresponsible driving and the defendants will have time to reflect upon the consequences of their behaviour while in prison.

"Their actions resulted in the death of three people, which is something they will have to live with for their rest of their lives.

"I'd ask anyone who drives recklessly to consider these consequences and the pain caused to all the families involved."

Prosecutor Paul McGorry said outside the court: "This is a tragic case where three people lost their lives and a fourth suffered serious injuries from which it is anticipated she will never fully recover.

"Nothing we can do can ever bring them back, but the Crown Prosecution Service joins the court in expressing its condolences to those touched by this incident."