TWO men posing as good Samaritans stole from a pensioner – after he suffered a stroke in the street.

Ian Backhouse, aged 67, was walking home from choir practice when he collapsed in Philips Avenue, Farnworth.

He was near his home where he lives with his partner Jean Taylor.

The pair came across the man and helped him to get home where his wife called for an ambulance.

The two ‘good Samaritans’ then left before the ambulance arrived at 10pm on Friday.

Despite seemingly doing a good deed, it later transpired that the men had stolen the man’s phone and bank cards from his pocket, as well as cash that was on a sideboard inside his house.

Detective Constable Phil Unsworth, of GMP’s Bolton borough, said it had been a “despicable” crime.

Det Con Unsworth said: “This was an absolutely despicable theft from a man who was having a stroke in the street.

“It’s almost unbelievable that anybody would stoop so low as to steal from somebody as they were stricken by such a serious medical episode.

“If you have any information that you believe can help us find the people responsible then I would urge you to contact police.”

Mr Backhouse, who is a member of the Bolton Male Voice Praise choir, is recovering at the Royal Bolton Hospital. He was taken to Salford Royal Hospital before being transferred on Sunday to Bolton.

He is treasurer and steward at Trinity Church in Farnworth.

The family are shocked and appalled by the crime and are appealing for people who may have information on the crime to contact the police or Crimestoppers in confidence.

Twin brother Mike Backhouse, who lives in Walkden, and is senior steward at the same church,  said: "It was a shock.

"Ian has suffered a severe stroke but is conscious and recognises us. He is able to talk a little but we have to initiate the conversation.

"To discover afterwards what had happened has left us all disgusted and appalled. You cannot believe that when someone is lying on the floor they can be robbed like this.

"Ian always looks for the good in people as I do, we like to think people are decent."

Mr Backhouse urged anyone with information to contact police, a sentiment echoed by neighbours on his brother's street.

He said: "If anybody knows anything or heard anything in the pub or might know who did it and is appalled to contact the police or Crimestoppers which they can do anonymously."

Anybody with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.