A TEENAGER has described how he was turned into a human torch by thugs who sprayed flammable liquid on to his head and set him alight.

Computer technology student Mark Burdis, 17, was saved by remembering his training from the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, and the help of his friends, Ross Hall and Roxanne Mitchell, who dashed to his aid.

Police believe Mark, who was wearing a black Gothic T-shirt with a picture of the shock rocker, Marilyn Manson, could have been attacked by a group of locals known as Charvers.

He had been walking home from an under-18s club night at Newcastle's Stage Door with his two 16-year-old friends when he came across a group of youths sitting around a fire on the riverside.

Mark said: "I only asked one of them the time and they growled something.

"The next thing I knew, was my T-shirt was alight. I felt this burning liquid over my face and chest.

"I heard a whoosh as the flames went up. It was searing into me.

"I screamed in agony and my friends, who had been a short distance away, came running to help.

"I don't know how I managed it, but my instinct was to roll on the ground to put out the flames.

"I had learned to smother the flames, but without my friends I would have been too weak. I would have just curled up and died."

Mark, of Bensham, Gateshead, who was last night recovering at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, is waiting for doctors to assess the extent of the damage when the bandages are taken off today.

A police spokesman appealed for anyone who may have seen the youths to come forward.

They were last seen running away from the scene off Shot Factory Lane, near Newcastle's Telewest Arena at about 11pm on Monday.

The spokesman said: "It was a shocking attack. If it has not been for his two friends who were there to help, we could have been looking at a murder case.

"It could well be that because Mark was wearing Goth clothes and they appeared to be rival Charvers that he was set alight."

Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-214 7555 ext 62364.