Train passengers watched in horror as a woman threw herself in front of a 70mph train at a busy station.

The woman plunged on to the tracks from the northbound platform of Hampden Park railway station in Eastbourne yesterday afternoon.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A British Transport Police inspector said the woman jumped into the path of the eight-carriage 2.14pm Southern Rail passenger service from Ore to London Victoria.

The fatality happened at 3.01pm as the train was going through Hampden Park.

Inspector Gary Young said: "It was clearly an intentional act on her part. The driver sounded his horn and put on his emergency brakes but couldn't stop in time.

"We sent officers to the scene but there was nothing we could do."

A Sussex Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called by the police at 3.11pm and got there at 3.16pm.

"We found one female on the line who was pronounced dead at the scene."

The train driver was treated for shock.

Rail services between Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings, and between Hastings and Ashford were suspended while an investigation was carried out and the body was removed.

The coroner has been informed.

Buses were laid on by Southern Rail to transport passengers to their destinations.

Trains began running again at 4.30pm.

Last month a motorist was killed when her car ended up on the tracks at an unmanned level crossing at Wilmington, near Polegate, a few miles from Hampden Park.

She died as her Mini was dragged 100 yards along the track.