A WOMAN has been killed after being struck by a train near Malvern today.

British Transport Police confirmed she was hit by the 5.55am Hereford-London Paddington service.

The tragedy happened between Ledbury and Colwall at around 6.20am.

Elaine Wilde, spokeswoman for Great Western Trains, said the company was running the train involved.

"The driver was extremely shocked and had to be relieved of his duties," she said. "He wasn't taken to hospital, but was shaken.

"We don't count the numbers of passengers on our trains, but it would have been fairly busy at that time of day. As to the reasons why it happened, that's a matter for the police."

Commuters faced long delays throughout the morning as buses were laid on between Malvern and Colwall to avoid the accident site.

But Railtrack spokeswoman Morag Rickett said trains were still running between Hereford and Ledbury, while emergency services and the coroner investigated.

The tracks were due to be cleared by 11.30am, but other details remained sketchy as the Evening News went to press.

Hereford police said officers were still at the scene.

"Obviously, this happened in the very early hours this morning," said Georgie Bates, spokeswoman for the division.

"We need to get information on the body, and that's proving quite difficult at the moment."