POLICE were today due to quiz four youths in connection with the "suspicious" death of a pensioner who collapsed minutes after dialling 999 to report a confrontation with youngsters.

Sheila Bridge, 62, of Lansbury Place, Nelson, collapsed soon after calling police about a group of youngsters causing trouble in her street on Wednesday night.

Police said they had arrested a number of local youths who were taken to Nelson Police Station for questioning.

A special inquiry room has been set up and a team of officers led by Detective Superintendent Mick Turner is investigating.

Police have been carrying out house-to -house inquiries.