A DISTRESSED woman on the roof of Weymouth's multi-storey car park saw emergency services race to Commercial Road for a second time.

Concerns for the woman's welfare were raised at around 7.50pm on Thursday.

Police found her on the roof of the building, and an incident lasting several hours ensued before the woman was finally brought to safety just before 11pm.

The road was closed throughout most of the evening so emergency services could work at the scene.

A police spokesperson said: "Dorset Police received a report at around 7.50 pm on Thursday January 13 raising concern for the welfare of a woman in Weymouth.

"Officers attended and subsequently located the woman on the roof of a building in Commercial Road.

"Road closures were put in place as emergency services responded to the incident. The woman was taken to safety at around 10.50pm and the road closures were lifted."

There has been a succession of welfare incidents at the multi-storey recently. Over the years there have been several tragedies where people fell to their death, prompting calls for railings to be put in place. 

A busy day for emergency services

Last night's operation followed an earlier, unrelated incident at a different car park on Commercial Road. That incident saw emergency services called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash as a car smashed into railings.

Click here for more details on that story.

How to get help if you are struggling with mental health

Listening charity Samaritans wants people to know they are always there at the end of the line.

January can be a particularly difficult time, coming after the Christmas period and with winter setting in it can increase feelings of anxiety and isolation.

Samaritans of Dorset, based out of an office in Weymouth, has also made a call for more people to consider giving up their time in the new year to become a volunteer.

Samaritans is the only charity that is there for anyone struggling to cope 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Volunteers are there to listen, without passing judgement, and to help people work through what's on their mind. There is never any pressure and a Samaritan will never tell anyone what to do. The Weymouth branch has been operating for almost 50 years.

Whatever you're going through, call Samaritans 116 123 at anytime (the number is free from any phone) or email jo@samaritans.org.

The Weymouth branch is at 13 King Street.