A 15-year-old boy and 20-year-old man have been charged with the murder of a father who was attacked on his way home from buying wine at shops.

Factory worker Michael Eccles, 43, was set upon in Weston Road, Lichfield, on Sunday night.

Mr Eccles died in hospital on Monday. A post-mortem found Mr Eccles died of multiple injuries consistent with a serious assault.

A 15-year-old Lichfield boy, and Carl Keatley, of Greencroft, Lichfield, are due to appear before Tamworth magistrates.

A family statement read out by Mr Eccles’ brother-in-law John Bayliss, 42, from Lichfield, paid tribute to the keen Liverpool fan.

Mr Bayliss said: “We all knew Michael as Ecky. He was a hard-working family man, who was kind, giving and loving. He was a loud and out-going character, who was great fun. He was able to find a joke and something positive in everything.

“He was a larger-than-life character who has left a massive hole in all of our lives and we will miss him desperately.”