Passengers travelling to a Kent station are warned to expect severe disruption after a person was hit by a train.

The incident happened on the Southern line - which serves Ashford International - between Eastbourne and Bexhill in East Sussex.

A spokesman for the operator said on X, formerly Twitter: “It is with great sadness that we report a person has been hit by a train between Eastbourne and Bexhill.

“All are blocked between these stations while the emergency services work to deal with this incident.”

On its website, it added: “There will be a severely-reduced service at stations between Eastbourne, Lewes and Haywards Heath, and between Bexhill, Hastings and Ashford International.

“Some trains will be cancelled on these parts of the network.”

Southern is “strongly advising” customers not to travel until lines are reopened, which is expected to be at about 4pm.

Affected passengers trying to reach Ashford can use their ticket at no extra cost on Southeastern services between Hastings and the London area, and between Ashford International, Tonbridge and London.

They can also access Stagecoach services between Polegate, Eastbourne, Bexhill, Hastings and Rye, and between Hamstreet and Ashford International.