THE FAMILY of an African student found dead in a Melksham swimming pool cannot afford to fly over and see their relative's body.

The father of 21-year-old Ugandan national Moses Ngero is said to be "extremely upset and distraught" over his son's tragic death, but he is unable to raise the money for the plane fare to England.

CID and scene of crime officers were called to a house in Kenilworth Gardens on Saturday after being alerted by the homeowners at about 2.30pm.

The body of Mr Ngero, who was staying at the house with a family on a church-funded study placement, was found floating in a private swimming pool.

Paramedics and police officers arrived, but pronounced the student dead at the scene.

Investigations into the death have not revealed any suspicious circumstances, but Wiltshire coroner David Masters opened and adjourned an inquest at Salisbury on Tuesday.

Police have confirmed Mr Ngero was dressed in swimming trunks when his body was found.

Known to be a weak swimmer, it is believed the promising student was attempting to swim but drowned after choking on pool water.

The Melksham-based Good News Church funded Mr Ngero's trip to England as part of their ongoing charity work.

The bright 21-year-old was studying civil engineering at the University of the West of England in Bristol.

Members of the Melksham church congregation are too upset to talk about the accident.

Pc Andy Fortune of Wiltshire Police said Mr Ngero's Ugandan family were informed about his death by telephone. He said: "The family liaison officer has been working with the family and said the father is absolutely devastated by his son's death.

"He does not have the financial means to fly over. He is understandably very upset and can't believe what has happened.

"There is also the problem of the repatriation of Mr Ngero's body."

The Good News Church may fund the return of Mr Ngero's body home for burial.

An inquest into the death will be held later this year. The results of a post-mortem examination will help reveal how Mr Ngero died.