A MAN almost died when his friends covered him in paint stripper as a drunken prank.

John Robson, 20, was left scarred for life when he was doused in the toxic liquid as he lay asleep in his flat.

Unemployed John was drinking at a pal's flat in Millfield, Sunderland, when he fell asleep.

As a joke his friends poured paint stripper over his face and body thinking it would make him itch.

But John failed to wake up and the stripper bored deep into the skin on his face, arms neck and back.

He was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital, and later transferred to the burns unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

But, while in hospital he contacted pneumonia, his condition deteriorated and staff told his parents he might not make it through the night.

John now faces years of skin grafts to try to mend some of the scars that cover his body.

John said: "All I can remember is that I was on a bit of a bender at my friends house and the next thing I can remember is waking up in hospital covered in bandages.

Police have taken a statement from John and are carrying out a full investigation. It is not yet known if any charges will be brought,

John added: "You don't need friends like that and I won't be seeing much of them again."