DETECTIVES investigating the murder of grandmother Ellen Crank believe neighbours may hold the key to catching her killer.

Mrs Crank was stabbed to death in the kitchen of her home in Kingscourt Avenue, two weeks ago today after returning home from a party to celebrate her 76th birthday.

Her body lay undiscovered for two days. It was found by a neighbour who became concerned for her welfare.

Today murder squad detectives hunting the killer urged Mrs Crank's neighbours to cast their minds back to the night of Friday February 21 and report anything they may have seen or heard.

Detectives say a dedicated police team are working around the clock in a bid to catch the killer -- who would have been heavily bloodstained.

Det Supt Simon Barraclough, leading the investigation, said today: "It has been two weeks since Mrs Crank was killed and I would ask people to think back to that night to see if they remember seeing or hearing anything suspicious.

"No matter how small they think it is, it could prove highly useful in the search for her killer."

Mrs Crank had celebrated her birthday, which had been the day before, on the Friday with her friends at the bingo at Victory Community Centre. She had left the premises at about 8pm and walked home.

A neighbour reported seeing her arrive at her semi-detached house at about 9pm.

But detectives have appealed for anyone who may have seen Mrs Crank walking home to come forward.

It is believed she may have walked along Chorley Old Road, before turning onto Ivy Road and then into Kingscourt Avenue.

Alternatively, she could have taken a route along a side street to Oxford Grove, on to Hatfield Road, through the fields to Valletts Lane, left onto Sunnybank Road, across Keighley Street and into Kingscourt Avenue.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 0161 856 5153 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.