THE inquest has opened into the death of a man whose car was found burnt out on the Denbigh Moors near Bylchau.

Opening the inquest in Ruthin, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central Elizabeth Dudley-Jones, said John Hawkins, 51, was born in Chesterfield but lived and worked as a self-employed landscape gardener in Lymm, near Warrington.

She said his body, which had "injuries consistent with self harm" was discovered on January 2, 2019 - more than two weeks after he was first reported missing.

Ms Dudley-Jones added that Mr Hawkins had last been seen driving his black Mitsubishi L200 Warrior 4x4 car in Bala on December 14.

He had been approached by officers but gave police an explanation for his whereabouts which gave them "no reason to be concerned".

The dad-of-two's vehicle was found abandoned and burnt out on the Denbigh Moors near Bylchau two days later after friends and family had joined police in a huge search of the area.

A post mortem was carried out with a cause of death withheld pending further tests and Ms Dudley-Jones said a hearing would take place at a date to be confirmed.