CRIMINALS were today urged to "shop" two robbers after the death of an 87-year-old man who was injured when they raided his home.

And detectives today insisted that the men who forced their way into James Allen's house could face manslaughter charges if his death was linked to the incident.

Mr Allen, who lived alone in Cobham Road, Accrington, was pushed to the ground after answering his front door at around 2.10pm on Wednesday October 15.

Two robbers searched his home and stole money before escaping. Their elderly victim, who has a son, daughter and grandchildren living in the Accrington area, sustained a broken thigh but managed to raise the alarm.

He remained conscious and gave police a brief description of the robbers before being taken to Blackburn Infirmary for treatment for his injuries and the effects of shock. He remained in hospital and underwent an operation on his thigh on Thursday but died at 6.30am yesterday.

Police believe details of the attack have spread amongst local criminals.

And today Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smith said: "We are awaiting the results of a post mortem examination on Monday but we are treating this as a suspicious death and if it is found that Mr Allen died as a result of what happened during the robbery then we would consider bringing manslaughter charges against those responsible.