THE family of a North-East holidaymaker who died after falling 40ft from a balcony on the Greek island of Rhodes yesterday laid a floral tribute at the place where he fell.

Christopher Rochester bled to death in hospital after breaking his back and pelvis when he slipped from an apartment in Faliraki, in June 2000.

The 24-year-old had been on the island for only four days when the accident happened, at flats behind the nightclub where his brother worked.

His story hit the headlines when the family revealed his body had been returned to Britain minus his left kidney.

Mr Rochester's family travelled to Rhodes for a court appearance by three Greek doctors and two nurses charged with his manslaughter by negligence.

The case was adjourned until next May 14, and some members of the family decided to make the trip to Faliraki in memory of the dead man, who was from Chester-le-Street, County Dur-ham.

Keith Rochester, 28, returned yesterday to the spot where his brother fell - for the first time since quitting his job at the club and leaving the island.

He was accompanied by his stepfather, George Cummings, cousin Fleur Rochester and family friend Mary Wealls.

Keith said: "I thought before I saw the place that I might be able to counteract the bad feelings with the good times I had there - but it didn't. It wrecked my head."

Mr Cummings, 43, said: "Rhodes is a place where Chris died. Rhodes is a place that destroyed my family."