An unusual trespasser caused trains to be left up the swanny in Kent this morning, if only very briefly.

A swan on the line meant trains had to run slower through Sandwich.

Southeastern took to Twitter to warn passengers that services were forced to slow through the area.

But after 20 minutes or so, the bird got itself out of a flap and made its way off the tracks.

Services were back to normal at around 10.10am, Southeastern confirmed.

A spokesman said: "Trains are just running slower through the area so as not to hurt the bird.

"The swan has left the line and trains can now run at normal speeds."

When they first announced the incident it had prompted some amusement from the Twittersphere.

One said: "Heard some excuses but that tops it all! Swan on the Line at Sandwich"

Another made reference to the scene in the film Hot Fuzz when the main characters, police officers played by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, chase an escaped swan around the village.