TRAIN passengers from Lancaster and Morecambe could hold vital clues to the violent death of a Barrow pensioner. A 21-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl from Morecambe were charged with the murder of retired Charles Keen earlier this week as police continue their inquiries. The pensioner, 75, was was found dead at his home at Buccleugh Street in Barrow on Monday, October 14. His hands had been tied and, according to a post-mortem examination, he died from head injuries.

Det Chief Insp Noel Kelly of Barrow-in-Furness Police, who is heading the investigation, said: "We are continuing our inquiries in Lancaster and Morecambe and at the moment we have a murder squad of about 16 officers stationed in the area."

Police want to speak to anyone who might have seen two people who arrived into Lancaster Railway Station at about 8.45pm on Friday, October 11 - a man who was wearing a brown leather jacket and green trousers and a woman who was wearing a black padded jacket.

"We want to hear from passengers who may have seen two agitated, possibly blood-stained, people on the train or getting off the train."

Detectives are also appealing for help from local taxi drivers as it is believed that the people in question took a taxi to an address in Morecambe.

Lancaster and Morecambe Police were drafted in to help Cumbria Police after they swooped on a house in Morecambe last week.

PC Malcolm Parker of Cumbria Police, said: "Lancaster and Morecambe Police have been very helpful. We're still following up lines of inquiries."

Barrow Police are appealing for anyone with information about the train journeys to contact the incident room on (01229) 848881 or 848882.

The17-year-old girl will be appearing at Barrow Magistrates tomorrow (Friday) and the man will be in court the following Monday.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.