MURDER team investigators are hunting two youths who tried to con an 82-year-old woman at her town centre home.

And Leigh Police have now alerted detectives investigating the death of 92-year-old spinster Ellen Bootle after Monday's incident.

Around midday a teenager described as being aged 15-16 with shaven hair, a round face and wearing a short black jacket and trousers and dirty training shoes called at the woman's home in Glebe Street.

When she answered the door he distracted her by asking for information while an accomplice described as tall, wearing a black coat with a light hood and wearing light blue track suit bottoms with a white stripe entered the rear yard.

Fortunately the woman's niece was in the house and raised the alarm and the youths quickly left the scene, one on a bicycle. Both were later seen together near the B & Q store car park.

Chief Inspector Steve Westcott of Leigh Police said: "The incident would appear to be suspicious and details have been passed on to the team investigating the death of Ellen Bootle.

"This incident is surprising considering the level of police activity following her death."

"We would remind people, especially those who are elderly or living alone, to be vigilant. Don't even answer the door if you do not recognise the person who calls.

"Always ask for a person's identity and keep the door chain on. If you haven't got a security chain get one."

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