A father-of-one has died after his clothes were doused in petrol and set alight early on Thursday morning.

Wayne Trotter, aged 30, who works at a plastics factory in Hendon, was heard screaming for help in Dales Path, Borehamwood, at 12.35am after his clothes had been deliberately set on fire.

People living nearby rushed to smother the flames, and the victim was taken to Barnet General Hospital with severe burns, before being transferred to the Chelsea and Westminster, where he died on Thursday.

Police are calling for anyone who saw anything that could be linked to the attack to come forward. Three youths were seen in the area at the time, and police are keen to speak to them incase they saw anything, and to eliminate them from the inquiry.

Investigating officer Det Sup Steve Read said: "This was an appalling and ferocious attack on a local family man, and it appears motiveless."

Det Sup Read believes it is unlikely the man did anything to provoke the attack, as he had a three-year-old child, and his wife is expecting another baby.

The victim was attacked while travelling home from his job from work in Hendon. He took the train from Hendon railway station to Elstree and Borehamwood station, then caught a 107 or 292 bus from Elstree and Borehamwood railway station and got off at a bus stop near the junction of Barnet Lane and Furzehill Road.

He then walked along Farriers Way and cut into Dales Path, where he was found.

Anyone in the area at the time, or who saw the victim on his way home, is asked to call Borehamwood Police on 020 8905 1212, or, for anonymity, Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.