A PENSIONER collapsed and died minutes after conmen tricked their way into his house.

Frank Bible, aged 74, died after two men with Irish accents fled from the home he shared with wife Edna in Mill Street, Bromley Cross.

Today police launched a major hunt for the men and appealed for help from the public.

Mr Bible's death has shocked the community around the quiet terraced street where he lived.

One resident said: "These people are sick and gutless. I am disgusted by this sort of crime."

Police are studying CCTV footage from a corner shop just yards away to try to find the men, thought to be aged in their early 20s.

Shortly after 12.30pm yesterday Mr Bible answered his back door to two men who claimed they were from the water board and needed to check pipes.

The pensioner was suspicious but one man talked his way inside and pretended to look under the kitchen sink before running upstairs into one of the bedrooms. He then left through the back door with a quantity of cash.

Mr Bible was so shocked that he collapsed shortly afterwards and could not be revived despite efforts by paramedics.

The men are described as white, aged in their early 20s, both wearing dark coloured clothing. DCI Carol Ashworth said: "We are doing all we can to find these two men.

"I would urge anyone to come forward if they have experienced any similar incident."

Police sealed off Mill Street for most of yesterday afternoon. A post-mortem examination was due to be take place later today. Anyone with any information regarding this or similar incidents should contact 0161 856 5740.