POLICE launched a major search of a house in connection with an assault on a man who later died in hospital.

Crime scene investigators and tactical aid units were at a house in Ramsay Avenue, Farnworth, carrying out a search this afternoon.

Officers were seen working inside and outside the property and took away a number of items.

Four police vehicles were on the scene, with a number of officers carrying out work.

Tactical aid units assist in major searches.

The search was taking place just half a mile from a churchyard that was the centre of police activity on Tuesday after a man was attacked and later died in hospital.

The 43-year-old man suffered fractured ribs in the assault on Friday and died in hospital on Tuesday.

Police were searching the churchyard of St James' Church, St James Street in Farnworth throughout Tuesday and lifted the cordon that evening.

Police also cordoned off an area behind a mill, in George Street in Farnworth, on Tuesday evening and crime scene investigators were working at the scene today.

The mill area was cordoned off at around 8pm on Tuesday before allowing access to the area at around 10am today.

However, a small area behind the mill remained cordoned off throughout today as forensic work was carried out.

Crime scene investigators were scene taking pictures at the house and at the scene behind the mill.

A black BMW and a caravan were both inside the mill cordon but it is not known if these are involved in the investigation.

Police told residents and people working at the mill that there had been an 'incident'.

Police have now confirmed that the search of the house and the area behind the mill are linked to the man’s death.

The land behind the mill is used by a scrapyard and a number of car businesses.

Officers had returned to the area near the church during today to talk to residents. Police were seen going door-to-door in Tennyson Road, which is near the church.

A man, who did not wish to be named, saw the cordon at the mill this morning, he said: "I was coming to work this morning when I saw the police with this area cordoned off. I just thought what is going on here."