Almost £20,000 has been raised to help the families of a British couple who died within hours of each other in Australia.

Image source, Facebook

Former Market Drayton Town footballer Jason Francis, 29, was hit by a car near the home he shared with partner Alice Robinson in Scarborough, Perth.

Ms Robinson, who was said to have been "heartbroken", was later found dead.

More than 34,000 Australian dollars (£18,919) has been donated since Christmas Eve.

A Go Fund Me Page said this would help their relatives with any costs that might be incurred sending the couple's bodies home.

BBC News Travel

People planning to head by rail to London from Birmingham New Street are being warned to check the timetable today before travelling.

Network Rail's carrying out improvement works at London Euston, , externalforcing it to shut some railway lines.

Virgin Trains says that means services to and from the English capital will be reduced, external, with two per hour today between Euston and the West Midlands.

Express and Star

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• 'All we can do is pray, wait and wish': Happy Christmas for Zac and family, external
• Mother of murdered soldier Lee Rigby speaks of support from wrestling legend , external

BBC Weather

Mainly cloudy this morning with quite a lot of mist around to begin with and there's a chance of the odd spot of drizzle in places. High 9C (48F).

Then this afternoon, staying mostly cloudy with the chance of a brighter break around. Low 5C (41F).

Get a latest forecast for your area at any other time by heading to the BBC Weather website.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Hope you all had a good Christmas - welcome to our live service for Thursday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

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