FORMER mayor of Ramsgate John Kirby talked a man who he feared was going to jump to his death back from the edge of a clifftop.

The district councillor has been praised for his quick thinking that could have helped save a life.

Cllr Kirby was walking his dog at Royal Esplanade when he saw someone the wrong side of railings with a 70ft drop below.

He said: "He was agitated, ranting and running up and down. He was drinking beer and was extremely distressed. He said that people were after him and he clearly felt his life was in danger.

"I was greatly concerned for his safety because he was close to the edge and I feared he may jump or slip at any moment."

Cllr Kirby talked to the man, who was aged between 30 and 40, for more than 20 minutes last Sunday after alerting police on his mobile telephone. He said: "I tried to chat calmly about his problems. He told me he had been sleeping rough in the overgrowth for three days. Eventually he sat down and I was quite relieved because I felt the immediate danger was past."

A police spokesman confirmed that officers had helped the man to safety, and that a trained negotiater had been alerted but was not needed. The man was taken to the Thanet Mental Health Unit at Margate.

The spokesman added: "If anyone sees a person in any type of life-threatening situation they should contact the police straight away. Cllr Kirby should be praised for his quick thinking and calm approach that may have saved the man’s life."