FRIENDS of a grieving woman are raising funds to enable her to bring her brother's ashes back from Brazil to Ashburton.

Dawn Major's brother – former Royal Marine Anthony James – died in São Paulo, aged 54, last December. But due to lengthy legal wrangles, and lack of finances, she has been unable to bring him home.

Mr James, who had been living in Brazil since 1988, was found dead by a friend after he didn't turn up to a meeting. Police believe he died of natural causes.