The inquest into the death of a man in Leyton is being held this afternoon.

Louis Priest, 59, was struck by a train on December 17, 2014, in a suspected suicide.

Friends called his death a ‘tremendous shock’ despite knowing he battled with bouts of depression.

His friend of 20 years, Chris Gryce, said Mr Priest was undergoing treatment for the illness and was supported by friends who would "miss him very much".

Mr Gryce, 67, of Cricklewood, said: “He was very serious and very intelligent.

"He had a deep interest in history and he read a lot.

“We had differing political views but we used to have deep conversations on different topics – putting the world to rights.”

The inquest is being held at Walthamstow Coroner’s Court today.