Boys arrested over man set alight

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Four boys have been arrested after a man was set alight as he lay on a grass embankment in Merseyside.

The victim, 37, was attacked after falling asleep at the junction of Stanley Road and Commercial Road in Kirkdale on Thursday evening.

The man suffered severe burns to his back when his clothes were set on fire. He needs surgery on his wounds.

The 15-year-olds from the Walton area were arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding.

'Callous attack'

Det Ch Insp Tim Keelan said one of the victim's shoes was missing and he believed the offenders may have run off with it.

He appealed for anyone who had seen a brown Kicker-style shoe to come forward.

"This was a particularly callous attack on a man who had fallen asleep in the summer sunshine.

"This is a main route in and out of the city and I would appeal to any motorists, or pedestrians, who saw anything to contact us," he said.