POLICE had to talk a man down from a roof in Blackrod this morning.

Around 7.50am, police were called to a house in Whitehall Lane, by local residents concerned for the man's welfare.

Witnesses claimed that the man was shouting from the roof and also appeared to be removing slate tiles.

The road was closed while emergency services, specialist negotiators and the man's family tried to talk the 25-year-old down.

Eventually the man was brought down safely, detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for treatment.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Shortly before 7.50am today, police were called to reports of concern for the welfare of a man on a house roof on Whitehall Lane in Blackrod, Bolton.

"Emergency services and specialist negotiators attended and the man was brought down safely with the support of the man’s family.

"A 25-year-old man was detained under the mental health act and has been taken to hospital for treatment.