Police investigating the murder of two girls shot dead outside a party in Birmingham have released the brother of one of the victims from custody.

Charlene Ellis, 18, and Letisha Shakespeare, 17 were shot in Aston on New Year's Day.

Charlene's brother Marcus Ellis was arrested on Monday but was released on police bail without charge on Tuesday afternoon.

The girls, all from Birmingham, had stepped out of the party at the Uniseven Studios hairdressing salon in Birchfield Road, Aston, at about 0400 GMT when they were shot.

Girls injured

Charlene's twin sister Sophie and 17-year-old Cheryl Shaw were also injured in the incident - all four girls were cousins.

Sophie is currently under armed guard while she recovers in hospital.

Mr Ellis is understood to have handed himself in at Queen's Road police station accompanied by his solicitor, Errol Robinson, and a representative from Birmingham Partnership Against Crime.

The organisation is believed to have been instrumental in persuading Mr Ellis to talk to the police.

Mr Robinson told the BBC's Midlands Today programme: "In order to assist the police with the inquiry and together with the organisation Birmingham Partnership Against Crime, Marcus Ellis voluntarily surrendered himself to police.

"He denies any involvement and has been released without charge on police bail. Mr Ellis sincerely hopes some of the wild speculation in the media will cease."