PAIN and grief are still etched on the features of Mumtaz Chishty — a retired bus driver whose life was torn apart seven years ago.

His wife and four-year-old granddaughter were murdered in an arson attack at his home in Little Holme Walk, Great Lever, on June 23, 2008, when a wheelie bin was set alight and pushed up against his front door.

Mr Chishty, who moved to Bolton 40 years ago, has never seen justice for wife Hameeda Begum and little Alana Mian, his granddaughter, who was staying with him during a visit with her mother from Australia.

The killer or killers are still at large — even though police say the answers Mr Chishty so desperately want lie in the local community.

Seven years ago today, the pensioner was in bed with his wife when she said she could smell burning.

Mr Chishty rushed down to investigate and was confronted by an inferno.

Mrs Begum, aged 71, died later after suffering serious injuries, while Alana died on August 1 from organ failure after inhaling large amounts of smoke.

Her mother, Saima Mian, who now lives in England, survived the inferno but was badly burned.

Mr Chishty said: "It is still painful. You think sometimes why this has happened as we did nothing wrong.

"When I am sitting here on my own I think about all sorts of things. But nothing will bring them back.

"My daughter tells me that she wants to die. I speak with her on the telephone most days for an hour or two. I tell her I am still alive and she must stay strong."

In the late 1980s, Mr Chishty was hit by another tragedy when his seven-year-old son Amjed died when he was run over.

The 78-year-old says his family life changed forever after the Little Holme Walk tragedy, and implored anyone who could help the police to come forward, with a £50,000 reward still on offer.

No forensic evidence linking the arsonists to the scene was found and no eyewitnesses have come forward.

He added: "I have been back to Little Holme Walk once or twice since it happened, and I remember everything when I do.

"I feel sorry for the people who still live there.

"I appreciate the media and the police for continuing to take an interest, and just ask that anyone who knows anything come forward."

Mr Chishty still has two sons and three daughters, as well as seven grandchildren, who live locally.

Martin Bottomley, of Greater Manchester Police’s cold case unit said: "It has been seven years since the tragic deaths of Hameeda and Alana and we have not given up the hope that their killer will be found.

“For seven years their family have had to suffer, knowing the people responsible have not been caught.

“We know the answers lie within the local community and we are asking for people to come forward and speak to police if they have any information that may assist our investigation.

"We also urge anyone who thinks they may know who is responsible or who may have witnessed the arson attack all those years ago to come forward.

"However, insignificant you think your information may be, it could be vital to our investigation, so please get in touch.

"The £50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible remains in place and we are aware that allegiances change over time.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.