A POPULAR and talented teenager has been found dead in the road beneath a disused railway bridge.

The body of Rory Haynes, 17, was discovered in Pett Bottom Road, Bridge, near Canterbury, early on Tuesday morning.

He had apparently fallen 50ft to his death from the old Elham Valley line which crosses the road.

Rory, of Brewery Lane, Bridge, was a pupil of Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys which is also attended by his twin sister, Flora. Headteacher Matthew Baxter said the report of his death had devastated staff and pupils.

He said: "Rory was an exceptional boy - popular and gifted and respected across the whole school. He excelled particularly as a young designer and had a great future in front of him. Our sympathies and thoughts are now with his family over what appears to be a tragic accident."

Rory was found shortly before 6am and police closed the road for several hours to conduct an investigation.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and the death had been reported to the coroner who is expected to conduct an inquest.

Floral tributes and messages have now been laid at the scene by his grief-stricken family and friends.