THE family of a 94-year-old woman who died after a burglary at her home on Farm Street in Failsworth on Sunday have paid tribute to her.

Edna Lamont's daughter Joyce Burrage said: "Our family are grieving at mum's sudden and tragic death. She certainly did not deserve to end her life in what must have been incredibly terrifying moments full of fear.

"Mum lived at her address for 68 years, she watched the house being built brick by brick around her. She had wonderful neighbours and always felt safe there.

"She did not have any valuables, only her family photographs - they were her memories and treasures.

"She was a wonderful character, fit as a fiddle and very independent. Mum brought up three daughters on her own after losing her beloved husband James who died when he was 34-years-old.

" She was a proud grandmother to eight children and great grandmother to 16.

"She was looking forward to her 100th birthday when she hoped to have a party and receive a letter from the Queen.

"None of us got the chance to say goodbye to her. I would appeal to anyone who has any information to contact the police."

Mrs Lamont was in bed when she was disturbed shortly after midnight. She went downstairs and noticed a window at the rear of the house had been forced open. There was no one in the house when she went downstairs but she discovered her leather handbag had been stolen.

She went to a neighbour's house for help and the neighbour returned with Edna to her home and called the police. Officers arrived at the house and were with Mrs Lamont when she became breathless and was taken ill.

Mrs Lamont died in an ambulance on the way to hospital. Officers are investigating the burglary and treating the death as suspicious.

A 29-year-old man from Newton Heath and a 32-year-old man from Failsworth have been arrested in connection with this incident.

Mrs Lamont was also burgled a week ago on Monday . On that occasion a man posing as a builder had called at her home at approximately 11.50am claiming he was there to carry out buidling work. She had let him in but later realised some of her property had been stolen.

Officers are appealing for information about the burglary and sightings of anyone seen in the Farm Street area acting suspiciously to contact them on 0161 856 9008 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.