POLICE have reissued their appeal for information following a robbery which led to the death of a man in Saltcoats.

The wanted man entered Wylie's Newsagents on Springvale Street around 3.40pm on January 12 and threatened the 63-year-old shop assistant with a knife.

He then demanded money before making off with a small sum.

A very short time later a 71-year-old man, believed to be her partner, entered the shop after hearing about the robbery but he suddenly became unwell and collapsed.

He was taken to Crosshouse Hospital but died a short time later.

Officers have appealed to the public to help trace a car and two men seen in the area around the time of the incident.

The suspect is described as white, 5ft8, of medium build, and was wearing a blue rain jacket with the hood up, blue jeans and had a black scarf covering his face.

Detective Sergeant Martin Prendergast from Saltcoats CID said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding both incidents and it is absolutely vital that anyone who was in the area on Friday afternoon comes forward with even the tiniest piece of information that could assist us.

“From local enquiries we have established that a white BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was in the area around the time of the incident and I would ask the driver to please get in touch.

“Two people were also seen separately in the vicinity of Springvale Street and I would appeal to both of them to contact the police. The first person is described as wearing a navy hoodie with the hood up, a black jacket, blue jeans and was carrying a grey rucksack. It is unclear whether this person is male or female.

“The second person is a woman who was wearing a brown jacket, black trousers and had a black bag on her shoulders.

“Anyone with information can contact Saltcoats CID via 101, quoting incident number 2056 of Friday 12 January 2018. Alternatively you can call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.”