ONGOING work to prevent suicide at Bournemouth's Pokesdown station was outlined at an inquest.

Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin invited South Western Railway to explain measures being taken following four deaths on the tracks last year.

Alex Carson, head of crime and security, said three "capable guardians" are on duty at the station throughout railway operating hours following the deaths.

He said signage about support, such as The Samaritans, has been increased and that CCTV will be upgraded.

He said other staff working there have received training, the station has undergone a deep clean and there are plans to paint it to make it look more appealing.

But he said there are no plans to introduce turnstiles at the two-platform station.

Mr Carson was speaking at an inquest into the death of former RNLI engineer Frederick Hubbard, who died at the station on July 8 last year.

The Bournemouth inquest was told Mr Hubbard, a single man who lived at Mansfield Close in Poole, travelled on the M1 and M2 buses towards Pokesdown from his home.

CCTV footage reveals he arrived at the station just after 6.30pm and was in collision with a train around 20 minutes later.

The train, travelling from Bournemouth to Manchester, was not due to stop at Pokesdown and was travelling at 70mph.

The inquest heard that Mr Hubbard, 69, died of multiple injuries.

Mr Hubbard was born in Dublin and moved to England in 1971.

The coroner heard he lived alone and spent time with family members each Christmas.

He had given no indication that he intended to end his life and was not known to have any mental health problems.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mrs Griffin said: "I am grateful for the action that is being taken by a number of agencies. There is a lot of ongoing work."

Samaritans can be contacted free of charge, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.