FRIENDS and colleagues of a dad-of-three found dead in a car have paid tribute to him, saying he was popular and dedicated to his family.

Devastated pals of Tony Hopkins, whose body was discovered by police at Trostre Industrial Park in the early hours of last Thursday morning, have described him as "the life and soul of the party".

Mr Hopkins owned Red Dragon Security Systems, which is based on the estate.

Police have launched an investigation into the death but refused to confirm claims made by sources in the town that Mr Hopkins had been decapitated.

Steve Griffiths, Chief Inspector of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "There appear to be no suspicious circumstances. We are not looking for anyone in connection with the death and are preparing a file for Her Majesty's Coroner."

Llanelli-based training adviser Garry Baker, aged 52, knew Mr Hopkins for more than 30 years.

"I still can't believe it," he said. "Tony was part of a close group of friends who met at a shop in Swansea called My Father's Moustache and we all kept in touch over the years. He was a vibrant and well-liked man with a great sense of humour. It's a great loss to all of his friends and everyone who knew him.

"The worst part is that we don't have an explanation for what happened. It's such a sad state of affairs."

A spokesman for Red Dragon Security Systems said staff at the firm were shocked at Mr Hopkins's death.

He said: "Tony was a great boss and a good mate. Everyone here is a bit numb right now."

Friend and former colleague Julian Lack, owner of Llanelli-based clothes store Generation, said he was left shaken by the news. "I think of myself as quite a strong guy, but this has shattered me," he said.

In an obituary notice in the Evening Post, Mr Hopkins's family described him as "a dearly loved dad-of-three, dearest son of Kitty and the late Walter and a dear brother of Wilden."

The funeral takes place at Llanelli Crematorium on Monday at 3.30pm. The family have asked people not to send flowers but to make donations to the British Heart Foundation.