HUNDREDS of people have attended the funeral of an Indian sailor who died after being attacked by race-hate thugs in Hampshire.

The funeral of Gregory Fernandes took place exactly three months to the day after he was confronted by a gang of about 20 youths in the centre of Fawley.

Mr Fernandes, 32, of Goa, was a crewman aboard a cargo vessel that was moored alongside Fawley oil refinery. He and a friend were returning to the ship when they were confronted by a group of teenagers near the junction of Church Lane and Sherringham Close.

Several youths were later arrested on suspicion of murder.

However, a post-mortem examination proved inconclusive and detectives are still attempting to establish the cause of death.

They are awaiting the outcome of final medical tests on the sailor's body.

The results of the tests will determine what, if any, charges are brought in the investigation.

Mr Fernandes's funeral took place at a church close to his parents' home in Agonda.