A school has paid tribute to a "truly genuine character with a delightfully quirky sense of humour".

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School pupil Joe Pickhaver was killed after being struck by a train close to a footbridge in Whitstable on Saturday night.

Head teacher David Anderson said: "Joe studied at Queen Elizabeth’s since the start of year seven.

"He was what you would call a truly genuine character with a delightfully quirky sense of humour.

"Joe was a gentle, kind, giving and caring person who was a popular, conscientious and capable student.

"He was what you would call a truly genuine character with a delightfully quirky sense of humour" - David Anderson

"He was a talented artist who also had an interest in computer science and like most young boys, he enjoyed the company of his friends and loved gaming and playing chess.

"Joe would have been completing his GCSE courses next summer and had already achieved some excellent results - his tragic and early death is a big loss to the whole school.

"The governors, staff and students at Queen Elizabeth’s offer their sincere condolences to Joe’s family and friends at this most difficult of times, we will hold them in our thoughts."

Mr Anderson said pupils at the Faversham school had been spoken to about the tragedy.

The school counsellor and pastoral staff have been available to help pupils and staff.

Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.