A Hasidic plumber from New York suffered third degree burns to at least half his body in an attack police said was down to a religious feud.

The victim, named as Aron Rottenberg by The Journal News, was attacked yesterday morning near his home in a strongly Hasidic area, the New Square village in Rockland County.

Mr Rottenberg, who fought a man armed with a rag soaked in flammable solution, is said to be in tremendous pain but is recovering.

According to police the father-of-four has been sent threats several times before because of his choice of synagogue.

A teenager, Shaul Spitzer, has been charged with first-degree assault and attempted arson.