JUDGES will sit next month to decide whether the families of victims of the bin lorry crash and another fatal collision can pursue private prosecutions against the drivers involved.

Lawyers for relatives of Jack and Lorraine Sweeney and their granddaughter, Erin McQuade, who died in the bin lorry crash in George Square in 2014, submitted a Bill for Criminal Letters last month. They want to take action against the driver, Harry Clarke.

The families of students Mhairi Convy, 18, and Laura Stewart, 20, who were walking in North Hanover Street, in December 2010, when a Range Rover apparently lost control, mounted the kerb and hit them, also lodged papers in relation to possible action against motorist William Payne.

The Crown Office had earlier confirmed it would not grant approval to the private prosecution plans as Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland declined to support the move.

Judges will now rule on whether it will go ahead, with a procedural hearing to be held on March 22.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said, in a statement: "Regarding the Bill for Criminal Letters lodged on behalf of Matthew McQuade, Jacqueline McQuade and Yvonne Reilly against Henry Clarke and a Bill for Criminal Letters lodged on behalf of John Stewart, Linda Stewart, Alan Convey and Aileen Convey against William Payne, the court has assigned a three judge procedural hearing ... on Tuesday 22 March ... to determine further procedure."