A POLICE negotiator has successfully talked down a woman who was spotted sitting precariously on an eighth floor balcony.

Sussex Police officers were called to Clarendon Road in Hove at 11.12am after a woman was heard screaming and shouting.

Police said the occupant refused to answer the door to the flat.

An eye-witnesses said the woman was in an agitated state and was dangling her legs over the edge of a balcony.

Those who live on the street were being allowed access but passing traffic was not.

A negotiator was called in and began engaging the woman in conversation.

Around an hour later, the woman agreed to go inside the flat and the road was reopened.