A TEENAGER was arrested on a rooftop, high above Darlington's Market Square last night after a dramatic 40-minute stand-off with police.

Drinkers in nearby pubs were surprised to see the man suddenly appear on the steep roof of the three-storey Tourist Information Centre at about 7.45pm.

As people spilled out to watch, police quickly sealed off the square and posted officers around the building.

Initially he inched towards the guttering and the sheer drop onto the pavement far below.

He then moved back to the ridge where he stayed for 15 minutes before again edging down the slates, stopping halfway.

At about 8.17pm he then disappeared over the ridge of the roof onto the reverse side.

Police were positioned nearby and a few minutes later he was seen being led to a nearby police car where he was handcuffed.

One onlooker said: "Police cars suddenly arrived in the square and that was when I saw him up on the roof."

A spokesman for Darlington police said the "young adult" had been arrested on suspicion of burglary and will be interviewed later today.