A HUNT was today under way for the killer of an elderly widow whose heavily bloodstained body was discovered at her home in a quiet Bolton street.

Detectives said today they believed Mary Ellen Crank could have been robbed by her attacker.

Mrs Crank was discovered by neighbours in a pool of blood yesterday lunchtime.

Detectives say it is still too early to say exactly what happened to the 76-year-old pensioner, but believe she could have been attacked near her semi-detached home in Kingscourt Avenue, Brownlow Fold, and dragged herself into her house where she died.

A post mortem examination was being carried out today to establish the cause of her death.

And today the head of Bolton police, Chief Supt Don Brown, appealed for people to stay calm. "We cannot discount the possibility that this woman was the victim of a robbery near her own home," he said.

"I can assure Bolton residents that the police are doing everything we can to catch the person responsible.

"Although this type of crime is rare, additional patrols have been deployed to the area and, if any resident feels in need of advice or reassurance, they should speak to one of these officers.

"It is also important for the community to work together and to contact any vulnerable neighbours who may be concerned at this time."

Mrs Crank's death is being treated as murder.

Police sealed off the road outside her house and forensic officers carried out a detailed search of the property and surrounding area.

House-to-house inquiries were carried out last night following the discovery yesterday lunchtime. A neighbour and his wife are believed to have found Mrs Crank lying on her back in the house.

Police were alerted by paramedics and she was confirmed dead at the scene.

Mrs Crank is thought to have lived alone after her husband died six years ago. She has two sisters and a son who is believed to live abroad.

Her death has stunned residents. They said homes had been plagued by thieves over recent weeks.

"This has knocked everybody back," said 62-year-old Alan Scholes. "There have been a few break-ins recently, but other than that it is a quiet area. She was a lovely person. I used to see her quite often. It's a shock."

Mrs Crank's brother-in-law, Norman Crank, said: "This is a terrible tragedy. The first thing I knew about this was when the police knocked on my door last night and asked me if I was related to Ellen.

"They said they couldn't give me any details of how she died. Ellen was a very likeable lady, she was such a jolly person."