A water company has indicated it will plead guilty to a negligence charge after a worker was crushed to death over four years ago.  

Raymond Holmes, a Thames Water employee, was killed in April 2010 at the company's Coppermill Lane site in Walthamstow. 

The 60-year-old father from Rayleigh and GMB trade union member was crushed following a collision with a vehicle in a confined space. 

The case was passed to the Health and Safety Executive in August after the Crown Prosecution Service said there was "insufficient evidence" for a "realistic" corporate manslaughter conviction. 

Thames Water was due to enter a plea at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, but the hearing has been adjourned until sentencing on December 8. 

A spokesman for Thames Water said: "This case relates to the tragic death of Ray Holmes, a loyal, long-standing employee of Thames Water, on 30 April 2010.

"We have informed the prosecution that we intend to enter a guilty plea in relation to the charges that have been laid against us under the relevant Health and Safety at Work Act legislation."

Thames Water is facing a single charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), namely failure to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees. 

Waltham Forest Trades Council, a local TUC body, has remembered Mr Holmes and others who have died at work in the area every year on Workers' Memorial Day, held annually on April 28, calling for an end to deaths and injuries at work.

The union has criticised the length of time it has taken for the case to arrive at court. 

President Dave Knight said: "The accident happened more than four years ago. It has been an unwieldy and intolerable process for the family. 

"Now we know they intend to plead guilty, this could have been done in a far more timely and efficient manner."