A man was detained under the mental health act after an incident at a car park in Colchester.

Emergency services were called to Middleborough car park in Colchester on Monday afternoon after a man was spotted sitting on the roof of one of its parapets.

Witnesses described seeing at least four police cars, three ambulances and a fire engine at the scene.

Police negotiators tried to engage with the man who was sitting precariously on the wall on the edge of the multi-storey car park roof high above the ground.

Emergency services were first called around 3.20pm.

They closed the car park to members of the public trying to get in and police were only allowing drivers who were already parked in the car park to leave.

READ MORE: Car park surrounded by emergency crews after man spotted on parapet wall

Motorists faced heavy traffic while vehicles were diverted away from Middleborough and back onto Colne Bank Avenue and Westway.

Police, ambulance and fire teams stayed on the scene while negotiations with the man continued and the incident was resolved by about 6pm.

The man was then checked out by paramedics.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: ‘‘The services negotiated with him and spoke to him and the man was eventually brought to safety at around 6pm on Monday, April 8 and was assessed by paramedics.

"The man was detained under the Mental Health Act and left in the care of health professionals."