POLICE are appealing for information following the death of Charles 'Chuck' Reynolds who died at Whiston Hospital a week after being robbed in his home.

The 82 year-old who was part of the Widnes side that played Warrington in the 1950 Rugby League Cup Final was a popular figure in the town and will be sadly missed.

Investigations are now underway to establish whether the pensioner's death is linked to the incident which took place in Birchley Street, St Helens, on Bank Holiday Monday, April 16, when two men called at the victim's door claiming to be selling chocolate.

The two men called at Mr Reynold's home at 1.15pm and when he went inside the house to get some money they followed him in and snatched the money, a pension book and a bank book from the victim's hands, knocking him to the ground.

The men escaped with the cash and on the following (Tuesday, April 17) a man, who is believed to be one of the callers at the house, tried to cash in the pension book at Dunriding Lane Post Office, St Helens. But the pension book was seized and the man escaped.

Detective Chief Inspector, Andy Cooke, said: "The 82 year-old man targeted in this incident was very vulnerable and inquiries are continuing to ascertain whether the death is linked to the burglary. We are anxious to trace the two offenders and I would stress that this incident happened on a Bank Holiday Monday when more people are at home and I would urge anyone who may have seen anyone, fitting the descriptions of the two males, acting suspiciously in the Birchley Street area on that day to contact the CID at St Helens as soon as possible."

A post mortem into the death of the pensioner was held on Tuesday afternoon (April 24).

The first man is described as 30-35 years, slim build, 5ft 5ins tall, pale complexion, with wide staring eyes and black, greasy or gelled hair combed back. He was wearing a dark grey fleece type jacket with a silver or white motif on the left hand side of the chest, fawn/grey trousers with large patch pockets on each side of the leg and black and white trainers. He spoke with a local accent.

The second man is described as white, 30-40 years, 5ft 7ins tall and medium build. He was wearing casual clothing.

Anyone who may be able to help the police with their inquiries can contact St Helens CID on 0151 777 6051, the Incident Management Unit (IMU) on 0151 777 6969 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.