A 20-year-old man has died after apparently falling backwards into a chimney of a building in Marble Arch and plunging seven storeys.

Emergency services were called to Great Cumberland Place shortly before 1am this morning.

A man’s body was found at the base of the chimney in the lower basement of the building.

It is thought the man was sitting on the roof of the building when he fell backwards into the chimney.

Police, London Fire Brigade, air ambulance and ambulance service attended.

Inspector Ian Bond, of Westminster police, said: “Our thoughts are with the young man’s family at this sad time.”