A MAN has been found dead at the side of a railway line in Ramsbottom this afternoon.

Police were called to the scene at the junction of Bridge Street and Railway Street shortly before 2pm.

The man is believed to be in his early 50s and officers were on the scene until 5pm.

Witness Pema Ferrin was working at the Railway pub, which overlooks the station, at the time of the incident said it was an upsetting sight.

She said: "There were cars and police everywhere.

"People were coming in here quite shocked. We are all really shocked.

"It's usually not busy at that time of day, the trains aren't running.

"It is really sad."

Jeff Tennant, who works at the neighbouring Tesco, also described how residents had been left shocked by the incident.

"You don't expect it in a town like Ramsbottom. A lot of people have been coming in talking about it," he added.

"It's only a small town at the end of the day. You don't expect it happen anywhere but especially a place like this."