A MAN was killed this afternoon after police said he laid down on the railway tracks in front of an oncoming train.

Officers said the driver made efforts to stop, but the man was struck at Church and Oswaldtwistle station at 4.05pm.

He was pronounced dead the scene. Train services between Blackburn and Colne were affected for two hours as a result.

Police said the man’s details could not yet be released as his relatives were being informed.

However he is said to be local and in his thirties.

Inspector Gary Crowe said witnesses had described seeing the man step down from the platform onto the tracks.

He said: “Despite efforts by the driver to stop the train, the man unfortunately received fatal injuries.”

Insp Crowe confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious.