Thousands of mourners turned out for the funerals of three Birmingham men killed as they tried to protect shops and homes from looters.

Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shahzad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, died in the early hours of August 10 after they were struck by a car during riots in Winson Green.

An open-air prayer service was held for them at Summerfield Park near the murder scene, where they were hailed as martyrs.

Many in the crowd sported T-shirts printed with the names of the three victims, beneath the heading “My Brothers”.

Others wore shirts bearing the words “Gone but not forgotten.”

A message on screens at the service read: “Three precious souls gave their lives protecting all of us.”

In sombre scenes, the legions of mourners comforted each other, some wiping away tears but most remaining calm and stoical.

Scholar Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi, who spoke at the ceremony, said: “They made an example of how a Muslim should be and what Islam is...

“These three people are martyrs and the best we can do for them is to pray for them and for ourselves. To pray for our community.”