A MAN who stood in a tree for more than 16 hours has been detained under the mental health act after being rescued by firefighters.

The man has been in the tree since 8.40pm last night and police negotiators spent 16 hours at the scene trying to persuade him to come down.

An eyewitness has said firefighters were being raised on a platform to enable them to get closer to the man to try and talk him down.

But the eyewitness said the man refused to come down and began climbing higher in the tree to get away from them.

At around 12.40pm, the man was helped into the aerial appliance and brought down safely.

He is being spoken to by police and paramedics.

Nearby Holden Road remains closed and emergency services, including firefighters, paramedics and police are at the scene.

Reports on twitter said the man was protesting about being deported but Greater Manchester Police could not confirm this.

Police officers said they had been concerned for the man’s welfare.

They were called to the scene at 8.40pm last night after someone called them to say that a man would not get out of the tree, in Platt Fold Road, Leigh.

A police spokesman said earlier: “At 8.40pm on Thursday, April 11, police were called following reports a man had climbed up a tree on Platt Fold Road, Leigh, and refused to climb down.

“There are concerns for his well being and force negotiators are currently at the scene.

“Roads around the immediate area have been closed while efforts are made to get the man down.”