A man has been talked down from the roof of a Maidstone town centre building more than four hours after fears he would jump.

Firefighters used a cherry picker to lift up a police negotiator to speak to the man in London Road, near the Formula One Autocentre.

He was persuaded to come down from the roof at about 4.15pm and wrapped in a blanket before being taken away in an ambulance.

The Kent Fire and Rescue Service height vehicle was brought in at about 4pm - more than four hours after emergency services were called to the scene.

Officers set up a cordon around the area after being called at soon after midday.

A Kent Police spokesman said they had received a report that a man might jump from the roof.

He said: "We were called to concerns for a man's welfare."

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When officers arrived, the man was in a window of the building - before climbing onto the roof at about 1pm.

Around half-an-hour later, they decided to throw a cordon around the property.

Emergency services in London Road. Video: James Walker

Police vehicles were also parked on the road outside the building, causing delays for motorists.

The man's family were also believed to be at the scene.

Earlier, a witness said the man could be seen talking to someone on a mobile phone from the roof.

He said: "There's a lot activity here. I've seen at least four ambulances arrive at the scene."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said a crew was sent to the scene to help police along with paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service.