DETECTIVES are hunting the killers of a man who died seven days after being viciously attacked in his home.

Martin Daniel Rankin (37), of Glenvale Close, Radcliffe, lost his fight for life in Salfords Hope Hospital on New Years Eve after being hit repeatedly in the head with an axe or machete. A week earlier, it is believed that several people got his home to carry out the brutal attack.

Police are now urging the local community to come forward with more information.

Detective Inspector Simon Collier, of Whitefield CID, who is leading the murder investigation, said: "It is unlikely that this was an attack by strangers and we believe it may have followed an incident during the day or evening of Friday, December 23.

"The motive for this violent attack on Mr Rankin is still not clear. However, we believe that people living in the Radcliffe community have important information about his death and have not yet come forward. I would appeal for anyone who knows of any reason why Mr Rankin was attacked to come forward.

"Any information passed to the police will be treated sensitively and in the strictest confidence."

Police are also anxious to speak to anyone who used a phonebox in Cross Lane, Radcliffe, between 1am and 2am on Christmas Eve.

This was the box used by an anonymous man to dial 999 and report the incident.

Police were then called to Mr Rankins house by the ambulance service.

After forcing their way into the property, officers found him unconscious in his bedroom.

Mr Rankin, who is understood to have worked as a roofer, was taken to Fairfield Hospital in Bury and later transferred to Hope Hospital where he remained in a critical condition until he died on Saturday.

A post mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was a head injury.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Whitefield CID on 856 8248 or 856 8162, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.