A woman found dead on railway tracks between Folkestone and Dover has been named locally as Hayley Prett.

British Transport Police confirmed this morning that a body discovered on railway tracks at The Warren near Capel-Le-Ferne yesterday morning was believed to be that of a 40-year-old woman.

According to her Facebook page, Hayley was formerly a support worker at the Priory Group.

She has been described as a "beautiful special girl with a heart of gold".

Suzanne Goss wrote on Facebook: "Hayley Pearl Prett you was always a bundle of fun with a real lust for life. Another of Folkestone’s finest taken too soon.

"Thoughts are with your family at this devastating time. RIP."

Michelle Goody posted: "The very first friend I made after moving to Folkestone, 11years ago, has passed.

"Hayley, you were always so warm, bright, happy and loving. Such a ray of light. Always smiling. You were infectious.

"I am devastated. Heartbroken. Lost for words.

"May you be at peace."

Kelly Finch wrote: "Lost for words. Such a beautiful special girl with a heart of gold."

She added: "Too good for this earth obviously."

The night before her body was found, Kent Police confirmed they had attended a gathering of about 30 people at the Warren in Folkestone.

No breaches of the peace were reported at the event on Saturday evening and no police action was taken.

A spokesman from the British Transport Police said: "Officers were called to the line close to The Warren, Folkestone, at 10.50am yesterday after a report of a body on the tracks.

"Colleagues from the ambulance service also attended, however, a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Formal identification has not yet taken place, however it is believed to be a 40-year-old woman.

"Her family have been informed."

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn said: "My thoughts are with the family of this woman as they come to terms with this awful news.

"It is now vitally important we understand precisely what happened and we have a team of detectives working to trace her final movements.

"Whilst these essential enquiries are made, I am keeping an open mind regarding how this woman came to be on the tracks and to lose her life.

"I would ask anyone who saw a woman near to Folkestone station during the early hours of Sunday morning to contact us as soon as possible.

"Any information, no matter how significant, could prove vital."

A post mortem will take place in due course.

SECAmb spokesman Rich Airey said: "I can confirm ambulance crews including our Hazardous Area Response Team attended but that sadly the person was pronounced dead at the scene."

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 185 of 30 September.