British Transport Police seal off Whitehall Road where a body was found close to the railway line. Picture: Barry Goodwin

More details have been released about a body found near a railway line in Canterbury yesterday.

British Transport Police has confirmed a 44-year-old Ashford man was struck by a train on the line near Canterbury West station.

The incident, which is not being treated as suspicious, happened alongside Whitehall Road at 11.49am.

Trains on both sides of the line were halted as officers from British Transport Police carried out investigations.

Police spokesman Lex Oliver said: “BTP officers worked alongside Kent Police and paramedics from the local ambulance service.”

The man's identity is not expected to be confirmed until this afternoon. It is also unclear why he was on the tracks.

The train involved was the 11.04am Margate to Charing Cross rail service.

A file will be prepared for the coroner.