Police are continuing enquiries and have released new information following an armed robbery at a Saltcoats newsagents after which an elderly man collapsed and died.

Detectives are looking to trace a BMW which was in the area and a man and woman in the vicinity.

Tony Ryan, 71, raced to comfort his 63-year-old partner after hearing that the newsagents she was working in had been robbed by a man with a knife at around 3.40pm on Friday, January 12.

The man had threatened her with a knife and demanded money. He then ran out of the shop with a small amount of cash, leaving the woman uninjured but very distressed.

On hearing of the robbery at Wylie’s Newsagents on Springvale Street, Tony rushed to the scene. But shortly after entering the shop, he became unwell and collapsed.

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

A post mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death and a report will be submitted to the PF.

An enquiry is underway to establish the full circumstances of both incidents.

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.”

Detective Inspector Fraser Normansell at Saltcoats CID also said: “This was a very traumatic experience for the 63-year-old shop assistant who not only suffered the ordeal of the robbery itself but also witness the elderly man collapsing in the aftermath of the incident.

“It is vital that we trace the culprit and stop him from causing any further harm and distress and as such I urge anyone was in the vicinity of Springdale Street in Saltcoats around 3.40pm on Friday 12 January 2018 and may have seen the suspect hanging around the area to contact police at Saltcoats immediately via telephone number 101 quoting incident number 2056 of 12 January 2018.”

"I also appeal to any drivers who were in the area to check their dash cams as they may have captured the suspect on their camera. If so, I ask that they also contact police urgently."

The Herald contacted Wyllie’s Newsagents this week and asked the manager how the staff were following the incident. He said: “We’re all ok”, but declined to comment further.

The Herald also contacted Saltcoats Bowling Club, where Tony and his partner were thought to be long-time members, but they refused to comment.