Businessman Paul Fletcher is killed by train

A Haughton businessman who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity from his annual Christmas lights display at his home has died after being struck by a train.

Paul Fletcher, aged 49, was pronounced dead at the scene on the main Wolverhampton to Stafford line at Gravel Lane, Moss Pit, Stafford, on Saturday.

British Transport Police spokesman Brian Price said officers were called to the line at 11.04pm after a report that a man had been struck by a train.

He said the incident is currently being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances leading up to Mr Fletcher's death.

The train involved was the 1840 Glasgow Central to Birmingham New Street service and the line was handed back to Network Rail at 2.32am on Sunday.

Any witnesses to the New Year's Day tragedy are being asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 quoting incident 665 of January 1.

Father-of-three Mr Fletcher leaves a wife, Sarah.

He was the owner of car breaking business Just Renaults in Midland Road, Walsall.

He began putting on his Christmas light display at his home when he moved to the village 12 years ago.

He was in friendly rivalry with Bert Moore who started the Christmas lights tradition in Haughton 26 years ago.

In 2005 the two men went on a festive edition of BBC 2's Ready Steady Cook together.

Mr Moore, aged 72, said his friend had raised tens of thousands of poiunds for the Midlands Air Ambulance, Katharine House Hospice and the village playgroup over the years.

"His death has come as a big shock. He has done so much for the children of the area," he said.

Mr Fletcher had spent thousands of pounds over the years on his festive display which included a 6ft Father Christmas and life-size reindeer and sleigh and more than 100 sets of lights.