THERE was rooftop drama in central Southampton as police were forced to talk a man down from a city tower block.

Officers have been at St Mary's Road since around 12.30pm yesterday after becoming concerned for the man's safety.

A crowd of onlookers were at the scene at St Mary's Road where two men could be seen on the roof of the former British Gas building.

Although there were two men seen on the roof, it is believed one of them was part of the rescue operation.

Four police cars, one van and two ambulances attended the scene.

Students in the block of flats which used to be a British Gas building watched on from their windows as police tried to talk down the man from jumping from the roof.

A spokesman for Hampshire police said: "We are currently at the scene working to bring him to safety and keep other people in the area safe."

The incident has blocked off bus access to Royal South Hants Hospital with diversions in place via Dorset Road.