IT was always going to be one of the hardest days of his life.

Father Diogo Fernandes knew he would experience painful emotions when he visited the Hampshire village where his nephew collapsed and died after a racially aggravated assault.

But nothing could have prepared him for the sight he witnessed when he walked into the centre of Fawley.

Part of the village square has become a shrine to Indian sailor Gregory Fernandes, 32, who was attacked by a gang of about 20 youths as he walked back to his ship after an evening out.

Father Fernandes sank to his knees and wept as he viewed the floral tributes that had been left near the scene of the assault.

"Greg, Greg, why can't you come back to us?" he cried.

The Roman Catholic priest had flown over from his home in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, to see the village where his nephew spent the last few hours of his life.

He was representing Gregory's parents and sister, who live in the Indian state of Goa.

Father Fernandes, 62, said: "My visit is designed to bring whatever healing I can to my family. They are not in a position to be here today - I'm the only one able to undertake the trip.

"Gregory was the most beloved nephew I could have had. Coming here and praying for his spirit is the final thing I can do for him."

Father Fernandes met and embraced several villagers who knew he was coming and wanted to express sympathy at his loss.

Jack Rushmer, 11, presented him with a letter of condolence and photographs of All Saints Church, Fawley, where a special service was held in memory of Gregory on October 27.

Father Fernandes thanked him and promised to take him to Orlando and Walt Disney World if he ever visited Florida.

The priest was accompanied by one of the police officers investigating Gregory's death. Det Con Phil Crossland pointed out the Falcon Hotel, where Gregory and shipmate went for a quiet drink on the evening of October 20.

They were returning to their ship, which was moored alongside Fawley oil refinery, when they were attacked in Church Lane.

A passer-by intervened and took Gregory to the refinery entrance known as Dock Gate 2, where he collapsed and died. A post-mortem examination proved inconclusive and further tests are being carried out in a bid to establish the cause of death.

n Ten teenagers arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail, pending further inquiries.