A woman who was seen walking on the railway line near Canterbury this morning has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Trains in and out of Canterbury West had to be halted while police attended the scene near the Whitehall Road level crossing following the reports at around 6.30am.

They found a 66-year-old woman who lives in the city on the tracks who was uninjured.

Officers have not revealed whether they believe she was trying to harm or kill herself but she was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital by paramedics for a check up.

The closure of the line meant that Southeastern trains between Ramsgate and Ashford had to be diverted via Dover with journey times prolonged by up to 45 minutes.

Buses replaced trains between Canterbury West and Ashford and commuters trying to get to London were told to use the Canterbury East station.