The Sun has defended its front page story about the tragic past of England cricketer Ben Stokes’ family after the Ashes hero hit out at the paper online.

The paper revealed the sportsman’s half-brother and sister were shot dead by his mother’s ex-partner in New Zealand, three years before he was born.

The Sun has said the story was told with the full co-operation of a family member after Stokes called it “immoral and heartless” this morning.