A man aged 81 died after being struck by a train.

All trains were cancelled following the lunchtime incident on Tuesday, which happened on a section of track close to Branksome Hill Road, about a mile out of Branksome railway station.

Dorset Police cordoned off the entire area, including a number of alleyways leading to a bridged service road running over the railway lines.

British Transport Police (BTP), South Western Ambulance Service paramedics, Dorset Police and the police helicopter were all deployed to the scene.

Initially, emergency services were unclear of the exact location of the incident.

South Western Railway (SWR) engineers cut electrical power to the tracks to enable emergency services to access the scene.

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: "Officers were called to Branksome railway station at 12.35pm after reports of a person being struck by a train.

“Colleagues from the ambulance service also attended the scene where sadly a person was pronounced dead.

"Officers are now working to identify the person and inform their family."

A spokesperson for South Western Railway said: "Emergency services are attending an incident which has affected the 10.35am Waterloo to Weymouth train.

"The incident happened at 12.29pm just before Branksome station.

"The power has been switched off for emergency services to attend and all lines are blocked as a result.

"Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until 6pm."

"We are sorry for any delay this may cause to your journey," the spokesperson added.

Trains were cancelled between Bournemouth and Poole following the incident at lunchtime but the lines have now reopened.

Replacement bus services were put in place.

There are delays of up to 20 minutes for rail passengers as a result.