Rebecca Casterton and Lauren Brooks were on their way home

Robert Murray, 51, of Wrockwardine Wood, Telford, denied the charges but was convicted by a jury at Stafford Crown Court after a five-day trial.

Rebecca Casterton, 13, and Lauren Brooks, 12, of Staffordshire, both died in the A38 collision in January.

Murray had used a mobile phone moments before the crash, the court was told.

'Reckless actions'

The two girls were being driven home from a horse-riding lesson and were back-seat passengers in a Renault Clio travelling southbound on the A38 at Clay Mills, near Burton-upon-Trent, on 20 January, when the collision took place.

Rebecca, from Barton-under-Needwood, died at the scene. Lauren, from Burton-upon-Trent, was pronounced dead at hospital shortly afterwards.

Both were pupils at John Taylor High School in Barton-under-Needwood.

Sgt Shaun Stanton, of Staffordshire Police, said: "Murray's reckless actions cost the lives of two young girls who had everything to live for.

"Their needless deaths devastated their families, their school and local community."