POLICE have identified a Preston man who was killed when he was hit by a train just outside the town on Tuesday afternoon.

The man's father contacted police after hearing a description of his son, 22. The rest of his family have now been informed about the tragedy, which happened at about 12.45pm at Skew Bridge, near Factory Lane, Penwortham, but have asked police not to reveal his identity to the Press.

The man -- who was not carrying any form of identification -- was hit by an Intercity Express travelling from Birmingham to Edinburgh as he stood on the northbound track.

The train driver applied the brakes but police say that at such high speeds it can take up to a mile to bring a train to a halt.

Sergeant Steve Murtagh from the British Transport Police said: "We are not treating this death as suspicious" and thanked the Press for their help in identifying the man.

He also said the incident mirrors a similar one on Thursday, May 18, when 28-year-old Mark Seed, of Malthouse Way, Penwortham, was hit by a train while standing underneath Skew Bridge -- just 150 yards away from Tuesday's fatality.

Sgt Murtagh added that the two incidents are not believed to be connected.