THE son of an elderly widow discovered stabbed to death at her home has been arrested on suspicion of murder writes Lucie McFall, Crime Reporter

Stanley Crank and another man are being questioned by detectives in connection with the death of his 76-year-old mother Ellen.

She was found stabbed in the kitchen of her home in Kingscourt Avenue, Brownlow Fold, more than two weeks ago.

Mr Crank, aged 45, and another 45-year-old, were arrested on Monday.

They are still being interviewed by detectives at Bolton police station.

Officers on Wednesday morning successfully applied to magistrates for another 36 hours to interview the pair.

A 44-year-old woman was also arrested on Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Mrs Crank was attacked on Friday February 21, within minutes of returning home from celebrating her birthday -- which had been the day before -- with friends at a bingo session at a nearby social club. The grandmother-of-three had taken homemade cakes and sandwiches to the Victory Community Centre in Chorley Old Road at about 6pm that night and arrived home at 9pm.

Her body was found by a neighbour two days later after her friends became concerned for her welfare. A knife was recovered at the scene.

Mr Crank, of Cross Street, Bolton, is a qualified joiner, but currently unemployed. He lives with his partner Christine. His ex-wife and three children, a 17-year-old boy and two girls aged 15 and 13, live in Australia. Mr Crank emigrated in the late 1980s but returned about five years ago.