A worker is in hospital after falling from a roof on to scaffolding outside a pharmacy.

Police, ambulance services and fire rescue workers were called to the scene in York Place, Brighton, at about 11.35am yesterday after receiving reports that a man had plunged nearly 20ft (more than 5m) from the rooftop of Ross Pharmacy.

The man, believed to be a builder, crashed on to scaffolding outside the building’s first storey.

The property, which is two-storeys high, is undergoing restoration work.

Police blocked off York Place to keep traffic away and they also cordoned off the pharmacy as the crowd of onlookers quickly grew.

The injured man was moved from the scaffolding into a room on the first floor and fire and ambulance service then transported him to the ground.

A spokesman for the South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “We were called at approximately 11.35am today to reports a man, reportedly a builder, had suffered a fall from height and landed on a flat roof.

“Ambulance crews, including our hazardous area response team attended alongside the fire service.

“The man was assessed and treated at the scene and brought down to safety before being taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

“He had suffered injuries but was conscious at the scene.”

Ken Dudman, 69, of Portslade, said he was on his way to the shops before police sealed off the path.

He said: “I was on my way to the record shop and then I saw this.

“I saw fire engines, police, and then more and more ambulances parking near Ross Pharmacy.

“I thought it must be something serious because of the amount of ambulances here.

Kerry Cager, 36, from Brighton, said: “I was here for an hour. I wanted to see what was happening because there were so many emergency services.

“I heard from an ambulance aman had fallen from the roof and landed on the scaffolding.

“It was quite dramatic and scary, because the man could have been seriously injured. I hope he is all right.”

It is believed the man’s injureis are not life-threatening as he did not land on his head. Ross Pharmacy refused to provide a comment.