Emergency services are trying to rescue a man who is stuck up a 290-foot former mill chimney in Carlisle.

It is not known how the man, who is topless, got there but it is reported that neighbours heard shouting from 10.30pm last night. Emergency services were called to Dixons Chimney at about 02.20.

Images online show the man dangling precariously upside down from the top of the chimney. A rescue operation involving a helicopter had to be called off due to the potential dangers for backdrafts. 

Superintendent Matt Kennerley said: These concerns over how securely he is attached have also prevented us from sending someone up the ladder from the bottom. The ladder is also damaged. 

“This is an extremely complex and rare incident and requires the specialisms of all the agencies to work together.

A 90-m high cherry picker has now arrived at the scene but police say that there has been no communication with the man for some hours.