Shoppers watched in horror as a man threatened to jump from the top of a multi-storey car park in central Brighton.

Police and firefighters were called to the fourth floor of the NCP car park in Church Street just before noon today.

The man was eventually persuaded to return to safety after officers spent 45 minutes trying to talk him down.

Eye witness Lesley-Anne Brennan, 53, of Church Street, said: "He was sitting down with his feet dangling over the edge. The poor man was crying.

"He looked like an ordinary, decent person who had just had enough."

A police spokesman said: "The matter was resolved within 45 minutes. The man was taken to Brighton police station for further questioning."