A high speed train hit a tree which had fallen onto the tracks this morning.

The service between Dover and London Victoria was halted as a result of the impact on the line at Selling, near Faversham.

Upon hitting one of the branches at about 7.40am, a small piece of electrical equipment came loose on the train.

Engineers arrived on site to fix the issue and a specialist team removed the fallen tree from the tracks.

A spokesman for train operator Southeastern said: "The piece of equipment is known as ‘shoe gear’ which is used to collect the electric current from the third rail and power the train.

"Both Southeastern and Network Rail staff arrived at the station to deal with the train and get it moving again. No damage was caused to the train itself, but the service was delayed as a result of the need for a specialist team to remove the tree branch.

"The train was travelling at a very slow speed as it had just left Selling station."

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