A TEENAGE girl who died when she was hit by a train was last night named as college student Catherine Joanne Hodgson.

The 17-year-old was struck on the East Coast Main Line near the Geneva Road railway bridge, in Darlington.

Her death is not been treated as suspicious and British Transport Police (BTP) officials last night said they believed she had taken her own life.

Catherine, who lived in Ruskin Road, off Parkside, was a health and community studies student at Darlington College of Technology. She was specialising in childcare and education.

She lived in Ruskin Road, Darlington, and had left Car- mel RC Technology College last year.

She was hit by the London King's Cross to Newcastle train as it was drawing into Darlington's Bank Top station at 10.40pm on Thursday.

The BTP spokesman said officers were alerted by people at the scene.

He said: "There were quite a lot of people about and her boyfriend was looking for her.

"He found her and tried to resuscitate her. It looks like suicide -she sent texts to various friends before she died."

The line was closed for several hours.

Last night, the Reverend Sheilagh Williamson opened St Columba's Church, in Clifton Avenue, so friends and neighbours could gather to remember Catherine.

Ms Williamson said a few words and invited people to light a candle and lay flowers in memory of Catherine.

She will also be remembered at prayers on Sunday.

Last night, floral tributes had been tied to a gate next to the line where Catherine was hit.

One said: "You shouldn't have left so young, will miss you."

Another read: "Never forgotten, sadly missed." A third said: "Nite God bless."

The BTP and Network Rail will conduct an investigation.

It is not known how Catherine got on to the line.

Last night a Network Rail spokeswoman said: "Because the BTP are investigating the incident and we are still making our inquiries, we cannot comment any further."

An inquest will be opened on Monday.