Train services have been delayed throughout the morning after a lorry reportedly struck a railway bridge before driving off.

Journeys between Faversham and Margate are affected in both directions following the incident at Chestfield and Swalecliffe station, near Whitstable.

One man at the station said he saw the lorry approaching the bridge and attempted to warn the driver to stop.

"I could see it had absolutely no chance of making it under so I tried to wave him down, but he carried on and then 'whack'," he said.

"He then reversed back and just drove off, but I managed to get his registration number.

"I don't know how he ever thought he was going to make it under.”

Staff at the station alerted Network Rail, with a response team sent to examine the bridge for structural damage.

The line has now reopened but passengers are warned to expect lasting delays to services while the timetable gets back to normal.

Southeastern first reported the delays just after 9am.

The train operator told passengers on X - formerly Twitter: ”The line through Chestfield and Swalecliffe has reopened, after a bridge was struck by a road vehicle.

“Trains have resumed running between Faversham and Margate, however they have been delayed, and may be altered or cancelled as we work to restore normal service.”