SHOPPERS watched in horror as a woman plunged 90ft to her death in Blackburn town centre this afternoon.

Specially-trained police negotiators attempted to talk the 32-year-old down from the top of The Mall in a tense two-hour stand-off.

The area around Ainsworth Street and Richmond Terrace was cordoned off following the incident.

But horrified onlookers, including shoppers and staff from Blackburn with Darwen Council’s children’s services, which is directly opposite, watched as the woman, fell to the ground at about 2.15pm.

She landed on the windscreen of a parked grey Vauxhall Astra car, and despite being given CPR, was pronounced dead at the scene at 2.35pm.

Police confirmed the woman, who was from Preston, was alone and that there were no suspicious circumstances.

Insp Graham Ashcroft said: “We were called to reports of a suicidal female.

"Officers responded and there was a period of negotiation.

"Then she jumped from the edge of the car park. She was confirmed dead at the scene.”

A spokeswoman for the Mall said a parapet wall runs along the top of the carpark.

She said there had been no involvement from Mall staff.

The top level of the car park was temporarily closed and a cordon remained in place.

Ainsworth Street at the junction with Barbara Castle Way remained closed for some time afterwards.

A spokeswoman for the Samaritans said: “Anyone who is feeling desperate can always contact a member of the Samaritans for help 24 hours a day.”

The helpline is 08457 909090.