A Maidstone man's body was run over by around 300 London Underground trains after staff mistook him for a fox, it has emerged.

The 47-year-old man's remains were found on the tracks between Holborn and Russell Square on the Piccadilly Line in the early hours of December 29 last year, with reports suggesting the body had been there since the previous day.

A tube train automatically stopped just before 11.30am on December 28, after a rear trip switch was activated, but when a manager was sent out to check the area, they only reported seeing a fox lying dead.

It wasn't until the following day - after an estimated 26 trains an hour would have passed along the line - when police were called and the remains were declared human.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "We were called at 1.42am on December 29 to reports that a body had been found in the tunnel between Holborn and Russell Square stations.

"A 47-year-old man from Maidstone was declared dead at the scene.

"The death was not believed to be suspicious and so a file was prepared for the coroner."

A Transport for London spokesperson added: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who was found in the tunnel between Holborn and Russell Square stations on December 29, 2017.

"We are unable to comment further at this time pending the conclusion of the coroner’s inquest.”

Although the incident happened several months ago, this is the first time it's been brought to public attention.