Police are searching for a man after a woman was deliberately set on fire in Manchester.

Stephen Archer, 50, is wanted in connection with the attempted murder of a women in the New Heath area of the city last month.

Emergency services were called to an address on 20 February after they recieved reports that a man had deliberately set fire to a woman.

Fire and police officers found a 49-year-old women with serious burns. She was taken to hospital in an air ambulance, suffering from 70% burns to her body. She is still in a critical condition.

Petrol was thrown over the woman before she was set alight, the initial police investigation suggests.

A 19-year-old woman escaped uninjured from an upstairs window of the house, with help from neighbours.

Police are trying to locate Mr Archer, who is wanted in connection with the incident.

Officers say Archer usually wears a baseball cap, carries a large rucksack and is known to travel by bicycle. The public are urged not to approach him directly, but call 999 if they see him.

Superintendent Arif Nawaz from Greater Manchester Police’s North Manchester Division said:

Anyone with information is asked to call the investigation team directly on 0161 856 62491, 999, or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.