A POLICE chief has pledged to catch a killer wanted for the murder of a pensioner - more than a year ago.

Phyllis Mayoh, aged 88, died in hospital three days after a burglar broke into her home and attacked her, before stealing £30 as she lay helpless on the ground.

And today, as the hunt for the killer continued, the man leading the police hunt, Det Chief Insp Andy Durkin, said: "We will not rest until this man is caught."

Mrs Mayoh was in the kitchen of her home in Rosamund Street, Daubhill, last April 13, when a teenage thief sneaked in through the front door.

The pensioner found the man in her lounge and he demanded money.

He knocked her on to the floor, breaking her hip. The burglar then lifted her up and threw her on to the bed. She raised the alarm by pulling an emergency cord and the man ran off with her purse, which contained just £30.

Mrs Mayoh underwent surgery on her hip at the Royal Bolton Hospital but she died three days later. Despite a massive police hunt, the pensioner's killer is still at large.

Mrs Mayoh was able to give police a detailed account of what happened to her and a description of her attacker before she died.

Her purse was found in bushes a month later, about a mile from her home, but forensic tests proved inconclusive because it had been exposured to the weather.

DCI Durkin said: "Following the appeal 12 months after her death, we did not receive any new calls.

"But we are determined to catch the burglary who broke into the home of Mrs Mayoh."

The teenager is described as aged 17 to 18 and very slim with mousy hair. He was wearing dirty trainers and jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 0161 856 5153, or Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.