A MAN who died after suffering serious burns was almost certainly set on fire deliberately, police said last night.

The victim is believed to be a 49-year-old married Tyneside man, but his burns were so severe that he could not be formally identified last night.

Northumbria Police have launched a full-scale murder inquiry after the body, which appeared to have been doused in petrol, was found in a back alley at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Two people were helping police with their inquiries last night, but no one had been arrested, said a spokesman.

The body was found near Sunderland Road, at Felling, Gateshead, by student nurse Joanne McDonald.

Miss McDonald said: "His clothes had all been burnt off and his body was blackened. I saw his chest moving up and down and then he let out a sigh. I tried to help him but it was too late."

Neighbour Phillippa Lochinvar, 20, said: "I've been crying because to see something like that is absolutely horrible. It was right outside my door. I just can't get the picture of that man out of my head."

A post-mortem examination of the body was being carried out to determine the precise cause of death.

Leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Thornton, appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gateshead East CID on 0191-454 7555.