COASTLINE train services were stopped for more than an hour yesterday when a man threatened to jump from an east Durham viaduct.

A 33-year-old man climbed onto the viaduct at Horden about 12.30pm.

For almost two hours he threatened to jump from the viaduct but was eventually talked down by officers and members of his family.

The man, who comes from Peterlee, was taken to his home town police station where he is being held for his own safety.

A police spokesman said it was clear that the man had been drinking and an assessment of his mental state would take place.

A spokeswoman for Arriva Trains, which operates along the coastal route, confirmed that the line had been closed between 12.47pm and 2.10pm. She said there had been a backlog of trains.