POLICE investigating the killing of a pensioner in an apparent botched robbery have appealed to the public in Bournemouth for help.

Detectives arrested eight men on suspicion of murdering Reginald John Baker, 75, at his home in Beech Grange, Landford near Salisbury.

They were yesterday granted more time to question five men.

Mr Baker, known as John, was found dead on Friday after a neighbour called police, reporting to have seen two men run from his bungalow.

Hundreds of officers from several forces were involved in the arrest of the eight suspects, who are all in their 20s and from across the South West region, overnight on Friday.

Three men were released on police bail last night.

The remaining five are still being questioned by police after magistrates in Devizes granted a warrant for further detention until this evening.

Officers are appealing for sightings of a grey Peugeot 405 registration M862 LON which was spotted by a neighbour leaving Mr Baker's house between 11.20am and 12.30pm.

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen the vehicle on Friday morning in Landford and in the afternoon in Bournemouth and The Brambles area of Salisbury.

Police say Mr Baker, who had no wife or children, had been targeted by distraction burglars last month.

In a statement yesterday his family said he was "a very private man" who took pride in his home and always looked smart.

Anyone with any information regarding sightings of the Peugeot is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 0845 4087000.