A MAN has been arrested after climbing onto the roof of a historic library close to Durham Cathedral.

The police and fire brigade were rushed to Palace Green Library, in Durham, at about 4.30am this morning (Thursday, November 13) after a bag was found nearby.

A check of CCTV footage spotted a man on the roof of the library, which is owned and run by Durham University.

An extensive rooftop search followed, with the fire brigade’s aerial ladder platform deployed.

A 22-year-old man was found hiding at one of the highest points of the roof at about 6am.

He was helped down and checked out by an ambulance crew before being arrested.

A police spokesman said he would be dealt with later today.

It remains unclear why he was on the roof.

Professor Graham Towl, the pro-vice-chancellor and deputy warden of Durham University, said: “We are aware of the incident at Palace Green and are helping the police with their enquiries.

“We would reiterate the warnings issued by police about the risks to anyone who might be tempted to climb on any of the university’s buildings or any other buildings on the World Heritage Site.”

Last year, police warned students against “night climbing”, a trend that started at Oxford and Cambridge universities, after four university students drunkenly climbed onto the roof of Durham Cathedral and had to be rescued using a police helicopter.