A policeman risked his life scaling rooftops to rescue a man threatening to jump.

PC Lee Scott climbed scaffolding and crept across the tiles, 45ft above parked cars.

He has been praised for his actions after spending more than an hour coaxing the man off a roof and bringing him to safety.

Shoppers watched the drama, photographed by a reader of The Argus.

At one point, PC Scott handed the 34-year-old man a cigarette as he balanced on an 18in ledge.

Police threw a 50ft cordon round the building in Bartholomews in the centre of Brighton.

Firefighters and paramedics stood by.

The officer eventually persuaded him to come down.

Superintendent Peter Coll, second-in-command of Brighton and Hove police, said: "I'm proud of PC Scott's bravery.

"He remained calm throughout what were life-threatening circumstances."

PC Scott said: "It was precarious but I was helped by builders and a council official. I want to thank them."

Ciaran McCarthy, of BPM Music, said the man scaled scaffolding on a neighbouring building to reach the roof of the building she works in.

"I only became aware of it when I noticed these people standing looking up. He was up there for about an hour."

The photographs were taken by trainee Press photographer Kristian Wilding.

He said: "The man stood right on the edge at one point. I thought he was going to jump."

The man was taken to Brighton police station under the Mental Health Act and was later receiving psychiatric help.

As the two reached the pavement, a witness was heard shouting insults, suggesting the man had been a coward not to jump.

Police arrested a man on suspicion of insulting behaviour likely to cause distress.