A bench is being unveiled to commemorate a gay barman beaten to death in a homophobic attack.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday on Clapham Common where Jody Dobrowski, 24, was murdered in 2005.

The community has raised £1,000 to pay for the bench and a further £1,700 for the 17-24-30 No to Hate Crime Campaign.

David Dandridge, one of the fundraisers, said: "It was thought there should be a permanent memorial to Jody.

"What we wanted to do is raise awareness so people would actually contact police about hate crime.

"It is important to raise awareness that hate crime exists."

Two men were jailed for life in 2006 after Mr Dobrowski was beaten in an attack so horrific that he could only be identified by his fingerprints.

PC Darren Sims, from Northcote Ward Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Through helping make Jody's bench happen both Lambeth and Wandsworth Police are renewing calls for anyone who is a victim to, or witnesses of, any kind of hate crime to report incidents to us, in confidence."

Council Leader Steve Reed, who will join the service on Sunday, said: "Jody’s shocking and senseless murder seven years ago serves as a wakeup call for the whole community that all forms of hate crime are totally unacceptable."

There were 1,306 reported homophobic crimes in 2005 in the UK and Mr Dobrowski’s murder was one of many attacks that occurred on the common that year.

To report hate crime, phone 101 or call Lambeth Council’s confidential lead Yvonne Okiyo on 0207 926 2796. In an emergency dial 999.