A YOUNG man died after setting himself alight in the middle of a playing field in Gillingham.

The man, thought to be in his mid-20s, apparently doused himself in inflammable liquid and set himself on fire.

The horrific incident happened on the Queen Elizabeth field on the corner of Castlemaine Avenue and Grange Road. A member of the public, who was walking on the field at the same time as the man, saw him go up in a “flash of flames”.

The witness ran to help the burning man, but could not get close enough and was prevented from rolling him on the ground to douse the fire because the flames were too fierce.

The burning man collapsed to the ground as the witness called the emergency services.

A spokesman for Medway Ambulance Service, said: “The man was dead by the time we arrived on the scene. He had been wearing jeans and trainers, but all the rest of his clothes were burned off. There was nothing we could do for him."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service also attended.

A spokesman for Medway Police said: "We are investing the discovery of a deceased man at a field in Gillingham. At this stage the identity of the man is unknown and we would appeal to anyone who recognises his description to let us know about it."

The man is white, about 5ft 8in and of slim build. He was wearing blue jeans, white trainers with four blue/silver stripes and the letters ESS:2 on the sides, a hooded top and had a yellow St Christopher and chain around his neck.

He also had a number of distinctive tattoos. One on the left inner forearm features a dagger going through a red heart. To the left of the heart is a flower and to the right there are letters making up what appears to be a name.

Anyone with information should contact Det Insp Andy Rabey or Det Sgt Maxine Martin of Medway Police on 01634 827055.