MOURNERS have been asked to dress in brightly-coloured clothing when they attend the funeral of tennis ace, Elena Baltacha.

Friends and family of the Ukraine-born star, who succumbed to liver cancer on May 4 aged just 30, have been asked not to wear black as they pay tribute to player at her funeral in England early next week.

The service will be held at 2.30pm at St Johns Church in Ipswich, Suffolk, on Monday.

Her family asked that mourners wear their "brightest colours" and donate to the Rally for Bally charity event organised in her memory, instead of sending flowers.

Money raised will be split evenly between Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the charity attached to the Elena Baltacha Academy of tennis, which helps disadvantaged children learn to play.

Ms Baltacha, a former British number one, grew up in Perth and Paisley in Scotland after emigrating to the UK with her parents.

Members fo the public can also donate via the fundraising link, www.justgiving.com/rallyforbally, or by texting EBAL60 £5 to 70070 to make, for example, a £5 donation.