View from the 86th floor of New York's Empire State Building

Stuntman Jeb Corliss was apprehended on the observation deck and handcuffed to railings, officials said.

Mr Corliss, a US TV host, had hidden a parachute, jumping gear and a helmet with a fixed camera under heavy body padding to get through security.

The 30-year-old has been charged with assault, reckless endangerment and other offences, police said.

It's New York City, it's rush hour - it's not the time to be jumping off buildings Timothy Donahue Empire State Building official

Police Inspector James McCarthy said the man had got through security disguised in a "very expensive, elaborate costume that made him appear like an older and a heavier gentleman".

When Mr Corliss got to the 86th floor, he took off the padding and attempted to carry out his stunt - wearing the helmet with a video camera attached, police said.

Mr Corliss climbed over a security barrier on the side of the New York landmark, but a guard grabbed his leg before he could jump, according to Empire State Building staff.

'Extreme sport fanatic'

"He was fighting with us to get off. He wanted to jump off in the worst way," building official Timothy Donahue.

The Empire State Building, opened in 1931, is the city's tallest building

Building staff and a police officer restrained the man before handcuffing him to a railing and taking him into custody.

Mr Corliss is the host of the US Discovery Channel's Stunt Junkies, a show dedicated to the adventures in extreme sports like skydiving.

The Discovery Channel's website says he is an expert base jumper - someone who parachutes from fixed objects.

According to the website, Mr Corliss has jumped off the 1,483-foot (452-metre) Malaysian Petronas Towers and from a 3,000-foot (914-metre) cliff in Norway.