ROCHESTER Bridge was closed on Wednesday evening while police talked down a man who was threatening to jump into the River Medway.

Police officers were called to the scene at about 4.40pm. Negotiators spent nearly two hours talking to the man before he gave up.

The incident caused massive rush-hour problems. Traffic was diverted from The Esplanade, Rochester, back to Chatham.

Crews from Strood fire station, wearing specialist swimming gear, launched a boat from the nearby Civic Centre and an ambulance stood-by.

The man was eventually taken away by police.