A MAN run over by a train has been named as former Swale borough councillor John Clark.

Mr Clark, 62, was killed as he crossed the tracks on a footpath at Bobbing. He had served as a Liberal Democrat councillor for Grove Ward for many years and lived in Auckland Drive, Sittingbourne.

The leader of Swale Borough Council's Lib Dem group, Cllr John Stanford, said: "Swale Lib Dems were very proud of John when he became the first in the party to win a seat in Grove Ward in 1992.

"Having set the trend, he eventually saw all three seats in the ward fall to his party colleagues, but always gaining the highest votes himself.

"John saw his role as a councillor principally as a hard-working representative of his ward, and it was his active approach to residents' problems that made him so popular.

"John worked in the health service until his retirement, and was a keen football supporter, of both Sittingbourne and Gillingham football clubs.

"In 2001 he decided not to stand for re-election, but make the most of his retirement. He was a well-known and popular quizmaster at the Beauty of Bath pub and other venues, where his ready wit will be much missed."

British Transport Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy.