The climber, who has eluded police to scale the heights of the world's tallest skyscrapers, had reached half way up the marble-walled monument when he began to feel unwell.

The gleaming marble walls and the heat proved too much

Rescuers descended from the roof of the 363ft (110-metre) building on long cables to haul him to safety.

Firefighters said that Robert, who always climbs with his bare hands, had been overcome by the unseasonally warm September heat.

He was taken to hospital suffering from cramps and dehydration. The sun's reflection on the marble walls had also dazzled him.