THE widow of a brave grandad who died while tackling burglars at his Spanish holiday home, said today she felt abandoned by police investigating the case.

Sheila McCaughran said she felt like nothing had been done to catch the men responsible for her husband's death and added: "I don't want to feel that it all happened in vain."

Retired telephone engineer Joseph McCaughran, of Walden Road, Blackburn, was dragged along the road by the burglars' getaway car as he tried to stop them making off with a camcorder containing film of his young grandson.

The 69-year-old suffered serious head injuries and died from a blood clot on his bran nine days later in hospital on June 28.

Nearly seven months later his wife Sheila, who witnessed the incident outside their holiday home, in Torrevieja, said Spanish Authorities and Lancashire Police have told her nothing and believes they are no closer to catching her husband's killer.

Following Mr McCaughran's inquest in August, when a verdict of unlawful killing was recorded, Lancashire Police were formally called in to investigate.

Coroner Michael Singleton said police would try and get permission from the Spanish authorities to visit Spain.

Police said that they would have to treat the incident as if it were a murder, and a senior investigating office would head up the case.

A spokesman said detectives could possibly go to Spain but today it was revealed officers have not visited the crime scene.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said it was "not appropriate at this stage" although did not rule out a visit in the future.

He said the police shared the family's frustrations, blaming red tape for the lack of action.

He said senior investigating officer Ian Jones had tried on a number of occasions to get in touch with Sheila and had left messages on her telephone.

Sheila, who had been married to Joe for 25 years, said: "Things have just got slower and slower, I have not heard anything from the Spanish police or police in Blackburn.

"There is no end to this for me, it's a continuous thing. Joe died protecting his family and we all appreciate that, we at least want some justice.

"The only thing I have heard from Lancashire Police was a card over Christmas, saying there were no further developments.

"But that was only days after I had spoke to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and I'm convinced that was what prompted the response."

Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw, promised he would contact the family when details of the incident were passed on to him by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in June. But Sheila, 47, said: "His office rang a few times but Jack Straw was never available. I should not have to push this."

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Michael Singleton, said he met with senior investigating officers in September to discuss the case but said there needed to be more communication.

He said: "The police in Blackburn were going to liaise with police in Spain and there was the possibility of them going over with the consent of the Spanish authorities.

"I have not heard anything further back since that time.

"As far as I'm concerned something is being done by Blackburn Police but perhaps there needs to be more communication.

"If the situation is that the Spanish authorities do not have enough evidence to proceed, then Mrs McCaughran needs to know that then she can draw a line underneath it.

"Clearly there has been a breakdown in communication."

Danny Collins, the news editor of an English speaking newspaper in the Costa Blanca said he was not surprised nothing had been done.

He said: "The Spanish Police are supposed to be looking but unfortunately I would not hold out much hope.

"It does not surprise me at all that the investigation drags on."