AN inquest into the death of a man who was hit by a train has been opened and adjourned.

Nigel Howarth was killed on the railway line south of Lostock Station at 7pm last Monday night.

He was struck as the 6.10pm Northern train service between Manchester Airport and Southport was nearing a bridge at Beaumont Road, Lostock.

British Transport Police have said that there are no suspicious circumstances .Mr Howarth was a former Bolton town centre ambassador.

Rob Dyson, the business crime manager at the Town Centre Company who used to be Mr Howarth's manager, said: "We are all devastated. Nigel is a great loss.

"He was a very popular character in the town centre and was very warmly thought of.

"It was a very hard week for everybody, we are a very close-knit company."

He added: "Our sympathy and thoughts are with his family."