Funeral date for tragic mother of twins who died hours after giving birth at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital

Sophie Burgess gave birth to Evie and Oliver last month at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton but never got to meet her babies.

The 19-year-old, from Telford, was conscious when both babies were born but her condition deteriorated.

The former Phoenix Academy pupil started to feel cramps so she and her partner Alex went to the town's Princes Royal Hospital before being transferred to New Cross Hospital.

It was discovered that she had contracted septicaemia and her condition deteriorated.

Both babies were born eight weeks prematurely. Oliver was born naturally and Evie by Caesarean section. Sophie died two days later with her partner Alex Carter at her side.

Her older brother Craig, from Randlay, today spoke of how their family want Sophie's funeral, which will take place on Wednesday, to be a celebration of her life.

Craig said: "She was only 19, so we don't want it to feel like a funeral we want to celebrate her life. We want people to wear a splash of colour."

The family were left overwhelmed when a fundraising page was set up for the twins and managed to raise more than £5,700.

"It's amazing how people have pulled together to help us. Friends who we haven't seen for a while have been donating and supporting us. People have also been donating clothes and someone even gave us a pram."

Sophie's loved ones have asked for family flowers only, but people are welcome to make a donation to the Neo Natal Unit at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, where she died.

Craig added: "They only have one twin cot at the hospital so we are hoping to raise some money to help them buy another.

"The twins are doing great now, they are now being bottle fed and they are right characters, and as always Alex has been great."

An investigation has been launched by health bosses at New Cross Hospital into the death of Sophie, who passed away away on March 13.

The funeral service will take place at 2pm at Holy Trinity in Dawley followed by a cremation at Telford Crematorium.

To donate to the twins fund, visit www.gofundme.com/p7tmpo