THE man leading the hunt for the killer of grandmother Ellen Crank today issued a "help us catch her killer" plea.

Det Supt Simon Barraclough urged anyone with information about the attack to contact the police.

The police chief said the 76-year-old pensioner was repeatedly stabbed in a frenzied attack in the kitchen of her home in Kingscourt Avenue, Brownlow Fold, within minutes of returning from her weekly game of bingo at a nearby social club.

Det Supt Barraclough said: "We would like to speak to anyone who saw Mrs Crank on Friday evening or has any information about her murder.

"If you saw anyone with blood stained clothing on Friday night, especially in the Bolton area or saw anyone acting in a suspicious way in the Chorley Old Road area, please contact us"

Anyone who can help is asked to call the incident room on 0161 856 5153 or Crimestoppers anonymously on free phone 0800 555 111.