TWO 18-year-olds are due to appear before magistrates accused of setting fire to a man who fell asleep in a bus shelter.

Matthew Kitchen, aged 41, suffered horrific burns in the shelter in Bury Road, Radcliffe, where he had fallen asleep as he waited for an early morning bus.

Benjamin Mortenson, aged 18, of Rupert Street, Radcliffe, and David Smolinski, aged 18, of Craven Street, Bury, have been charged with assault and were due at Bury Magistrates Court.

Mr Kitchen, of Catterick Drive, Little Lever, was still fighting for his life today at Wythenshaw Hospital.

He was due to undergo an operation on his burns, which are mainly to his chest and arms. He has suffered 26 per cent burns to his body and requires a ventilator to help him breathe.

Mr Kitchen had been alone on a night out in Radcliffe on Saturday, before missing the last bus home.

His wife Margaret, aged 60, said today: "He had just gone on a night out, missed the last bus and was waiting for the early morning bus. He usually falls asleep when he's had a drink."

The couple, who married two years ago, had been separated for a few weeks and Mr Kitchen was living with his brother in Radcliffe, where he grew up.

He phoned his wife at 6.30pm on Saturday from a pub in Radcliffe but it is not known where he went from there. It is believed he missed the last bus from Radcliffe to Bury.

Mr Kitchen, who has three brothers and a 12-year-old daughter, had been suffering from personal problems and had taken a break from his job as a window frame maker a few weeks ago.