RAIL commuters were diverted after a tree fell across tracks following bad weather early today.

A 20ft silver birch fell onto the London-bound line between Ashford and Maidstone East.

A train travelling through Hothfield, near Ashford, struck the tree at around 6am. There was no damage to the train. But as the tree had landed at a dangerous and obstructive angle it had to be cut up and removed from the line.

Commuters travelling on the 6.23am, 6.55am and 7.11am trains from Ashford to Victoria, and the 6.39am train from Ashford to Blackfriars, were all diverted via Tonbridge.