A knife-wielding man had to be rescued from a railway station roof by emergency services.

The incident happened in the early hours of today at Colchester Town railway station on St Botolph's roundabout.

Leading firefighter Steve Kerridge said a fire engine was called out to help police get on to the roof to bring the man down.

But, he said, after the man pulled a knife out and became aggresive, police officers handcuffed him.

And in order to get him down to the ground, an aerial ladder fire engine usually used for rescues had to be called out from Colchester.

He said the incident lasted for about an hour and at one point the man fell asleep.

A man has been questioned and released on police bail.

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002