FOUR Wirral teenagers who were arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a pensioner have been released on bail.

The teenagers – two 15-year-old males from Birkenhead, a 16-year-old from Birkenhead and a 17-year-old from Prenton – were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the death of 65-year-old John Wilcock.

The 65-year-old - a retired marine engineer and company director from Liverpool - died in hospital on Monday.

The granddad - who was being treated for cancer at the time of his death - had been walking along the pedestrian promenade between Bubbles play centre and the Home Bargain store with his wife and two boxer dogs at around 4.15pm last Tuesday when a pedal-powered quadricyle with four teenagers onboard came up behind them.

The youths – who were said to be riding and acting anti-socially towards other people on the promenade – struck the pensioner with the vehicle, knocking him to the floor.

After stopping momentarily, the group of teenagers got back onto the quadricyle and left the scene in the direction of Fort Perch Rock.

Mr Wilcock was taken to Arrowe Park Hospital for treatment for his injuries that included swelling, bruising and head trauma.

He was discharged two days later but then sought further treatment at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital when his condition deteriorated on Friday.

He sadly died in that hospital in the early hours of Monday morning.

The result of a post mortem examination carried out on Tuesday have been withheld by the pathologist pending the results of further tests.

An investigation was launched by Wirral CID into both the collision and the man's subsequent death – which is being treated as “unexplained”.

The four teenagers have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Detectives remain keen for anyone who witnessed the collision between the quadricycle and the pedestrian or saw a quadricylce being ridden on the promenade last Tuesday afternoon to call them on 0151 777 2265.