The murder took place near Ffrith beach festival gardens

Superintendent Peter Ackerley said it is the worst attack he has seen in 30 years with North Wales Police.

The body of Brian Noble Dodd, who lived in the town, was discovered by a member of the public walking a dog in a car park at Ffrith beach in Prestatyn on Tuesday afternoon.

This is the worst attack I have seen in 30 years as a police officer, the injuries were significant and covered Mr Dodd's head and body Superintendent Peter Ackerley

He was lying behind his Y-registration silver Mitsubishi Carisma car.

The victim's two dogs were found next to his body.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the Festival Gardens car park at the time of the murder to come forward.

Superintendent Ackerley said the attack was horrific and appeared motiveless.

"This is the worst attack I have seen in 30 years as a police officer, the injuries were significant and covered Mr Dodd's head and body," he said.

Mr Dodd, a retired accountant, had been married to his wife Enid for 10 years and had stepchildren.

She is said to be "devastated" by his murder.

Police said he had dropped his wife at Rhuddlan community centre at 0920GMT and arrived at the Festival Gardens at 1145GMT.

The Ffrith Beach area is popular with walkers

Officers want to know where he was during the rest of the morning.

Prestatyn councillor Gwynn Clague said the community was shocked by the death.

"Some walkers have said they feel very nervous," he said.

"I go on the Ffrith every day to walk the dog and there is a heavy police presence there.

"There are three to four entrances to the Ffrith, officers are at all exits and they've closed a section of the Ffrith off."

Officers are looking through CCTV cameras and are carrying out forensic tests in the area.