Customers at a busy Wirral retail park looked on in shock as police descended on the area.
Emergency services rushed to Bidston Moss Retail Park, off junction one of the M53, in Wallasey, after a man's body was found. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police cordoned off a section of the car park, and forensic officers were seen working in a wooded area. One man said: "People were pulling up to go to the B&Q store and were wondering what was going on. There were around 10 police vehicles there, and a scientific support unit van parked alongside the embankment.
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"Part of the car park was sealed off and it looked serious."
The area which was sealed off is at the rear of the large car park which backs on to an area of rough ground, close to the busy road junction off the M53. The retail park is home to a number of stores including B&Q, Halfords, and Aldi.
Merseyside Police are now trying to find out the identify of the man and contact his next of kin. Officers confirmed his death is not being treated as suspicious.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Police were in attendance in Bidston Moss, Wallasey, this morning following the sudden death of a man. At around 8.15am we received a report that a body of a man had been found in a wooded area off Junction 1 of the M53, close to Bidston Moss Retail Park.
"Emergency services attended and the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries are ongoing to formally identify the man and notify his next of kin.
"His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner. The slip road at Junction 1 of the M53 (Poulton roundabout) was closed while the incident was dealt with but has since been re-opened."
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