A man has died after being found hanging from a railway footbridge, police have confirmed.

Officers and ambulance crews were sent to Staplehurst Road, Sittingbourne, near its junction with Cavell Way, at about 8.30pm yesterday.

The man, who has not been formally identified, died at the scene.

Trains between the two towns were cancelled for about four hours after the discovery.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Just after 8.40pm on Tuesday, our officers attended the line near Sittingbourne following a report that a body was found hanging from a bridge.

“Colleagues from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended, and a 65-year-old man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“His death is not being treated as suspicious and his family has been informed.

“A file will be prepared for the Coroner.”

The road has been shut off to traffic for a number of weeks for roadworks.

The rail line was closed just before 9pm and buses replaced trains. Train operator Southeastern said it reopened at 12.45am.