A railway line has reopened after a train hit a tree earlier causing damage to the rail that carries the power.

The tree trunk also damaged the front of the train when it happened in the Adisham area between Canterbury East and Dover Priory.

The line was blocked in both directions for several hours.

Southeastern arranged replacement buses.

Passenger Hannah was on the train that hit the tree and described the moment of impact.

She said: "It was a big clunk which was scary.

"The tree stump is pretty big. It has damaged the front of the train and caused damage to the train track also.

"I heard Network Rail say 'How are you still on the track?!'

"However the train staff have been informative, regularly checking on our welfare.

"British Transport Police and Network Rail have arrived and working hard to find a way for passengers to continue their journey - no injuries thank god."

It is understood passengers were escorted off the train and taken to a station via another one.

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