A tower of flowers marks the spot where a 25-year-old Pembroke man died after being assaulted in the street only yards from his home.

Dean Evans, of Buttermilk Close, was with his girlfriend when he was attacked in Devon Drive. He later died from his injuries at Withybush Hospital.

Family, friends and colleagues described him as "irreplaceable".

Affectionately known as Bevsy, he was a local boy, initially living in Stackpole before moving to Pembroke.

He attended Stackpole junior school, Pembroke Comprehensive and then went on to Pembrokeshire College where he achieved an engineering qualification.

On leaving, he joined Lidl's store, working in Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven. He worked his way up through the ranks before being appointed as manager.

A spokesman for Lidl said: "He was with the company for four years. He had been a deputy manager for three years and a store manager for one. He was a very nice person, had good manners and a highly-valued employee. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family."

While at the store he became friendly with David Thompson and Lee Smith, of Pembroke Dock ships' chandlers, Lars Knutsen and Clode. They offered him a job with them as manager, a post he took up in January 2006.

Bevsy was a keen pub sportsman playing pool and skittles for local pubs in the Pembrokeshire leagues.

Although not a player, he was an enthusiastic follower of rugby and one of his close friends was the local international rugby player Jonathan Thomas.

A very popular individual, Bevsy was well liked and respected in the community, which was demonstrated by the huge number of cards and expressions of sympathy received by his parents Ronnie and Sandra Evans and his sister Donna.

David Thompson, of Lars, Knutsen and Clode, told the Western Telegraph: "We used to speak to Bevsy when he was at Lidl and said we would like him to work for us when the opportunity arose. He joined us in January.

"He was a lovely man and the idea was that he and Lee would be in charge of the company when I retired.

"That was what I had in mind, but tragically it wasn't to be. This really is not the sort of thing you expect to happen here."

Mr Thompson added: "Bevsy is irreplaceable as a member of this company and as a person and character. He was always happy and on top of the world. He will be so sadly missed."

The funeral has not yet been arranged, but details can be obtained from John Roberts, funeral directors.