A MAN has been set on fire in what police are describing as a "homophobic hate crime".

The 20-year-old victim was walking through the grounds of Holy Trinity Church in Stockton-on-Tees when he was approached by a group of four men and questioned about his sexuality.

1 The man was set on fire in the grounds of the Holy Trinity Church Credit: Google

He ignored them and kept walking, but one of the men approached him from behind, sprayed an aerosol at his legs and then set him alight.

Cleveland Police said the victim attended North Tees University Hospital, where he was treated for serious burns, which required skin grafts.

Cops are appealing for information about the incident, which happened at 3am on Wednesday.

A police statement said: "The man who lit the aerosol is described as white, in his early 20s, medium build, with short blond hair. He was bare-chested and wearing jogging bottoms.

"Officers are treating this as a homophobic hate crime and are asking anyone with information to come forward and call police on 101."

More follows.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368.