RAILWAY workers were forced to dive for cover after being targeted by a gunman while carrying out maintenance work near Maidstone West station.

One of the workers was struck just above the eye and says he was lucky not to be more seriously hurt.

The four-strong contract team were walking along the track between the Tovil footcrossing and a signal box, less than 800 yards away from the end of the platform.

Seven airgun pellets were fired in total from the direction of houses in Tonbridge Road.

Connex South Eastern services were ordered to proceed with caution for over an hour while police scoured the area in a bid to track down the shooter.

Rob Andrew, 32, from Ashford, was carrying out points work for maintenance firm Pararail Services, at around 10.30am, when first potshot was taken. He said: "We were going along the track towards the crossing when I heard a window smash.

"We didn't know what it was but thought it was just a kid throwing a stone and carried on walking. Over the next 12 minutes there were another six shots. It was very frightening and we were forced to dive for cover.

"It felt like whoever this idiot was intentionally getting us in his sights and firing. Three pellets were fired at me. One hit me just above the eye. I was extremely lucky not to lose it.

"We were only saved from further attack by the sounds of the police sirens approaching. It must have scared the gunman off."

A spokeswoman for Maidstone and Malling Police confirmed it was investigating the incident with officers searching the level crossing at Teston for pellets.