POLICE were called to the State Hospital at Carstairs yesterday after a male patient climbed on to the roof of a building and refused to come down, writes James Freeman, Home Affairs Correspondent.

The man, who had been serving a prison sentence when be became ill and required treatment in secure conditions, had been considered sufficiently well to be granted ground parole. That meant he had freedom of movement both inside his hospital ward and a secure area within the general perimeter security of the hospital.

A spokesman for the hospital said later that the man had been spotted climbing on to the roof of the single-storey building about 11.50am.

Staff attempted to talk him down but spokesman said that no reason had emerged for his actions. Eventually the patient descended after an hour. No one was injured and no threats made, the spokesman added.

Last month, a Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report drew attention to a problem at Carstairs, suggesting that many patients were ''entrapped'' at the State Hospital long after they were considered ready to leave.