A HOMELESS man woke to find his sleeping bag on fire as a group of youngsters stood by laughing.

He was left with minor burns on his fingers and it is thought his belongings had been deliberately set alight.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which occurred some time between December 10 and 12 during the night near the i360 on Brighton seafront, to come forward.

The crime was reported to them by a third party and officers are trying to establish more information.

PC Andy Newman, of the Sussex Police street community team based in Brighton, said: "This is a heinous act that has been committed on a very vulnerable male.

"The incident was not reported to police at the time but has come to us via a third party.

"I would appeal to anyone who has information on this incident to get in touch with me at Brighton Police Station by calling 101 quoting 110 20/12/2016."