Almost £9,000 has been raised to support a family after two "much loved" North Staffordshire brothers died within five days of each other.

Christopher and Dave Rodgers, who were both from Brown Edge and lived in Hanley, died in the same week in June leaving their family to plan a double funeral.

Dave died on 15 June aged 37 from a brain bleed. Just five days later on 19 June, Christopher died aged 42 from sepsis.

Their cousin, Neil Hargreaves, launched a fundraiser to support the family with funeral costs on GoFund Me which has so far raised a total of £8,780.

Neil said: "It's in times of great tragedy like this where people come together.

"The community and village as a whole have all rallied around.

"The generosity of strangers has been a complete surprise to the family; people empathise with the situation and are giving what they can to help ease the stress of funeral costs."

The funds will be used to help with funeral expenses for Christopher and Dave's family including parents, Linda and Mick, older brother, John, as well as partners Codie and Claire, and children Myles, Bertie and Betsy.

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To donate to the fundraiser, visit the GoFundMe page here.