A PRIEST is planning to make a 10,000-mile round trip to the village where his nephew died after a race attack.

Father Diogo Fernandes intends to pray at the spot where Indian sailor Gregory Fernandes was set upon by a gang of 20 youths as he walked through Fawley.

He is also likely to visit the place where the 32-year-old merchant seaman collapsed and died minutes after being assaulted.

Father Fernandes plans to arrive on Saturday - exactly two weeks after Mr Fernandes and a shipmate were attacked as they walked along Church Lane.

Speaking to the Daily Echo from his home in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, the devout Roman Catholic said: "I just want to embrace my nephew.

"I will visit the spot where he was attacked, fall on my knees and say a prayer for his spirit."

Father Fernandes, who intends to place a small cross at the scene, is hoping to gather as much information about the incident as he can.

The unprovoked attack on Mr Fernandes has horrified Fawley residents, many of whom say they feel ashamed that such a senseless act could occur in their community.

Last Saturday more than 300 villagers attended a special service at All Saints Church before walking silently to the village square, where they held a two-minute silence and lit candles.

Father Fernandes said: "There are a lot of good people in Fawley who must be really wonderful. I had hoped to fly over and attend the service myself but physically I was very drained and was unable to make the trip."

Meanwhile, concern is still being expressed about the emotional and financial toll that Mr Fernandes's death will have on his parents, who live in a small fishing village in the Indian state of Goa.

The couple are retired and regarded him as the family's main breadwinner.

Renha Fernandes, a relative who also lives in Goa, said: "Their entire life has gone. We try to console them but in vain. Their sorrows and grief have no end."

Police launched a murder inquiry after Mr Fernandes and his friend walked back to Fawley oil refinery, where their ship was moored.

A passer-by intervened and took Mr Fernandes to the refinery entrance, where he collapsed and died.

Since the incident a total of ten teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail pending further inquiries.

A post-mortem examination proved inconclusive and further tests have been carried out in a bid to establish the cause of death. A police spokesman said detectives were still waiting for the results of the tests.