In the space of 24 hours almost 2,000 people have joined a Facebook group in support of Luke Walker, who is accused of beating his girlfriend to death in Greece.

Support for the Brierley Hill man came as he was charged with the murder of Chelsea Hyndman, aged 21. His father, Patrick, said a second post-mortem by British doctors would discredit claims “physical violence” caused the death.

His son, 22, of Gayfield Avenue, Withymoor, was remanded in custody by the public prosecutor in Crete.

Mr Walker said that the family was pinning its hopes on the second post-mortem clearing Luke’s name.

“We have had official advice that due to the severity of the charge a second post-mortem must take place when Chelsea’s body is flown back,” he said.

“I am sure that will not find it was definitely physical violence which killed Chelsea, it could have been a fall or something else.”

Speaking about the decision to lay the murder charge, Mr Walker added: “They have based it on the post-mortem.”

The Facebook group proclaiming Walker’s innocence had attracted hundreds of members and dozens of messages of support within hours of it being set up yesterday.

Called Luke Walker – Innocent Until Proven Innocent and created by Becky Batth, the group’s description states: “This group is a small attempt to let Luke and Chelsea’s voices be heard.

“We all know how much they loved each other and that Luke wouldn’t and couldn’t harm a hair on that girl’s head.

“Please use this group to tell the world the truth about our friend, let’s fight the lies with the truth and make people see what we all already know – Luke Walker is innocent.”

Miss Hyndman, from Yorkshire, died on Monday of ruptured internal organs.