Police are still hunting the killer of a pensioner battered at his home with a hammer, despite having no eyewitnesses to the attack or forensic evidence.

Mr Bishop, 75, was repeatedly struck on the head at his home in Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford, on March 18, 2007.

A total £700 was stolen from him and he died four months later.

Det Ch Insp Michael Atkinson told an inquest: "Mr Bishop answered the door when a man demanded money and attacked him with a hammer.

"There are no other witnesses, we only have his account.

"We carried out road checks and house to house inquiries but there were no witnesses.

"We did a forensic recovery from the scene. There is a possibility we may have some forensic material in the future but not at present."

"But this remains a live investigation."

The inquestheard Mr Bishop had never fully recovered from the trauma and died on July 13 that year from a lung clot after falling at his home and breaking a leg.

Pathologist Dr David Rouse said the original head injuries had been a contributory factor to his death.

Coroner Rachel Redman recorded an open verdict, which still allows police to carry on their murder investigation and bring a prosecution.