A homeless man has been badly injured after being reportedly set on fire as he slept in his tent.

The victim, who is in his 40s, is understood to have suffered second-degree burns to his torso following the incident in Canterbury yesterday afternoon.

His parents, who live in Cyprus, say they were appalled to learn of the attack when he called to tell them what had happened.

"It's truly shocking, and we have urged him to get treatment as soon as possible," said his father.

"It's alarming that someone would do something like that to another person who is clearly already vulnerable.

"We did see him recently when we came back to Canterbury, but obviously feel a bit helpless to support him now we are now so far away."

Police and paramedics attended the scene, on grassland behind the Kingsmead Leisure Centre in Kingsmead Road, but the victim is said to have initially declined to make a complaint.

However, today he has been spoken to again by officers, who have launched an investigation.

A police spokesman said: "At around 4.30pm on Monday, August 15, police were was called to an area of grassland behind the leisure centre in Kingsmead Road following concern for the man, whose clothes were seen alight.

"It is not unusual for rough sleepers to have their tents set alight, suffer assaults, have their possessions stolen and even be urinated on..."

"The man received medical treatment at the scene for his injuries.

"Detectives are carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances of the fire and are appealing for anyone who saw the incident to come forward."

The victim is known to city homelessness charity Catching Lives.

Its interim manager, Emma McCrudden, says rough sleepers often face abuse and attacks on the street.

"I can't talk about this particular incident because I haven't spoken to the person involved about it, but it is not unusual for rough sleepers to have their tents set alight, suffer assaults, have their possessions stolen and even be urinated on," she said.

"Obviously, if someone is injured we would urge them to get treatment, because living on the streets makes their health even more vulnerable."

In June last year a homeless man suffered burns to his hands after his tent was set alight in Toddlers Cove.

Anyone with information about the latest incident should call police on 01843 222289, quoting 46/159264/22, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.