TWO teenagers accused of setting fire to a man as he slept in a Radcliffe bus shelter have been remanded in custody until next year.

Army signaller Benjamin Mortenson (18), of Rupert Street, Radcliffe, and David Smolinski (18), of Craven Street, Bury, have denied assaulting 41-year-old Matthew Kitchen on October 31 at a bus stop in Bury Road.

Mr Kitchen, a window frame maker, of Birley Street, Bury, suffered burns to his arms and chest and remains in a critical condition in Wythenshawe Hospital.

A bail application for Mortenson and Smolinski was turned down at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday and they were remanded in custody until January 12.