Spiderman scales Lloyd's building

The man nicknamed Spiderman has climbed some of the world's tallest buildings - despite suffering from vertigo. Today Alain Robert pulled off his latest feat, conquering the Lloyd's Building in the City.

A crowd of surprised office workers watched from below as he scaled the 275 foot building in under 20 minutes before being arrested by police.

M Robert, 41, has been climbing buildings for 10 years. The Frenchman from Montpellier has previously climbed New York's Empire State Building, Canada Tower in Canary Wharf and the Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpur - the world's tallest building.

He has achieved these feats despite a disability that means he suffers numbness in his right arm. He always climbs in a Spiderman outfit and refuses to use safety equipment.

One onlooker, Michael Zallas, 22, an underwriter with Lloyd's, said: "It must be such an adrenaline rush for him, it's very brave but a bit stupid. I can't believe he's climbing it without any safety equipment."

Another underwriter, Marcus Tobin, 20, said: "We heard a lot of noise and came out to see him. He's climbed it quite quickly and looks pretty spectacular in the Spiderman outfit. I wouldn't fancy doing it myself, though."

Danny Skinner, 24, a bank clerk, said: "It's amazing but a bit extravagant. I think he must just need a thrill in his life."

M Robert is in London at the invitation of Sky Television to coincide with the TV premiere of the film Spiderman tomorrow. However, once here he decided to take on the challenge of climbing the Lloyd's Building.