A "distressed" man who scaled a crane has been helped to safety by emergency responders.

Police and fire crews were at the scene for more than six hours.

They were called to Tontine Street, Folkestone, at about 6.30am to reports a man was climbing a crane at a building site.

Footage shows the scale of the crane the man has climbed

Two roads were closed by police while they dealt with the incident.

These images show the sheer height of the crane, which towers above the town.

While the incident was ongoing, a police spokesman said: "Officers have closed Tontine Street and Dover Road in Folkestone while they speak to a distressed man at a building site.

"Kent Police was called at around 6.30am to reports that a man was climbing a crane at that location.

"Drivers may wish to seek alternative routes while the roads remain closed."

An eyewitness said the man was shouting from the structure at police below.

They told KentOnline: "He has climbed to the top. He keeps climbing further up.

"Police and fire brigade are there as well as a police negotiation."

It is thought he climbed down from the crane, before later climbing back up to rooftop height and then into the crane's cabin.

Later in the morning, an eyewitness said: "They think he is asleep in the cabin. They where shouting trying to wake him from the lift."

But the fire service says the man was thankfully led to safety at about 12.45pm.

A spokesman said: "A man has been led to safety by firefighters operating a height vehicle as a rescue platform in Dover Street, Folkestone.

"The man was rescued from a tower crane after a discussion with Kent Police.

"There are no reports of any injuries."

Police say a local man in his 20s has now been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He remains in police custody.

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Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone