A PENSIONER has been arrested after beating a seagull to death in Rhyl.

An eyewitness said the 67-year-old was seen hitting the bird with a walking stick on Market Street after it tried to steal a pasty.

The incident took place just before 12.30pm and, according to the eyewitness, the man was said to have then returned to one of the nearby pubs to finish his drink following the incident.

The eyewitness said the seagull had been "smashed to bits" and that she had "boxed the bird up" before any children could spot it.

She called the incident "disgusting".

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: "We were called to Market Street, Rhyl, at 12.26pm today to reports of an elderly man hitting a bird with a walking stick.

"The 67-year-old man was then arrested under the Wildlife Countryside Act Protection of Birds law before being taken in to custody."

The RSPCA has been approached for comment.