World Cup: Fans across Midlands witness Lionesses heartbreak

Fans at the Witton Arms in Birmingham celebrate as England goalkeeper Mary Earps saves a penalty

Thousands of football fans gathered at venues across the Midlands to watch the Lionesses' defeat against Spain in the Women's World Cup final.

They were bidding to become the first senior England football team to win a World Cup since 1966 - but lost 1-0 in Australia.

At Camp Bestival, at Weston Park, more than 2,000 festival-goers watched the match in a specially set up fan zone.

Councils in Worcester and Sandwell also showed the action on giant screens.

Excitement was building before the game at Wolverley FC in Worcestershire

Fans watched on a screen at Chesterton AFC, where a girls' and women's football team was launched

Elsewhere in the Midlands, some fans watched at Wyrley Juniors Football Club, where they have created seven new girls teams for the new season, giving them 23 girls sides overall.

Tash Capewell, from the club, said: "It's still a massive difference, no matter what the result there.

"The exposure they've had, on like the national newspapers, all the news channels covering it, it'll be huge for girls."

Tash Capewell said England's exploits at the Women's World Cup and the coverage would be "huge for girls"

Sunday saw the launch of the Chesterton AFC girls' and women's football team in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, with its first season starting in September.

After watching the game on a big screen, vice chairman and welfare officer Simon Blanchard said although Spain won "it'll inspire a lot of players".

He added: "They've not had anything like this at Chesterton AFC… it'll obviously bring money in, it's gonna bring players in, more teams, a brilliant result for the area.

"The togetherness today at the club, all the people that have turned out, the atmosphere, the face painting and everything, it's been a really good day."

In Birmingham, the Witton Arms, near Villa Park, reopened after a refurbishment with a big screen and brand new fan zone.

More than 1,000 people of all ages soaked up the atmosphere.

Rhiannon and Guy Williams from Burntwood were among the fans watching the match at the Witton Arms

Aston Villa fan Rhiannon Williams said: "It's good seeing how people have started watching it and [they] proved that they can play football.

"Hopefully Villa Park can be sold out at a women's game."

Wendy Bryant said "the girls have done so well"

Wendy Bryant, from West Bromwich, told BBC Radio WM at the venue: "I'm so proud of what they have achieved.

"The crowds here today have been so impressed. It's been a privilege to be here and share the moment."

(L-R) James Carlin, of Shard End, Patrick Hennesey, from Wednesfield, and Martin Jones, of Wolverhampton, were at the Witton Arms

Patrick Hennesey, from Wednesfield, said: "Sarina Wiegman has been amazing for women's football, there have been some outstanding players on show."

Jez King, of Redditch, added: "It's cool to see guys with the women's names on their shirts, it has taken a long time but it's thoroughly deserved.

"Jess Carter has been on fire this tournament. They have to hold their heads high."

More than 2,000 fans eagerly watched the match on a giant screen at Camp Bestival at Weston Park on the Staffordshire border with Shropshire

At Camp Bestival, as fans nursed their heartbreak and returned to the live music and activities, a sense of pride remained in the air.

Rachel Svenson said: "I'm very gutted but I'm also very proud.

"Up until the age of 12, I had to play in the boys' team because girls' teams didn't exist. Even though they lost, they lost with pride and did everything they could."

At Camp Bestival fans were eager to watch the match

HMV Empire Coventry was among the locations to show the match in the city.

One man watching there, Steff, from Coventry, said Spain deserved the victory, adding: "They seemed more composed in the final.

"To be honest it looked like the actual final got to our ladies, too much long ball, not enough short ball."

Fans gathered at Wyrley Juniors Football Club to watch the game

One large screen showing the match was at Southwater in Telford

At Stanford Farm in Shrewsbury two brides used their wedding venue to screen the World Cup with their guests.

Two brides, Katie and Rachel Rodders, who got married on Saturday, watched the game with guests on Sunday at Stanford Farm in Shropshire

The guests gathered for the match in Shrewsbury