REVELLERS were caught up in long traffic queues last nightafter a young woman threatened to jump off the Orwell Bridge near Ipswich.Police were alerted by members of the public shortly before 7pm and closed the eastbound carriageway of the A14 at the bridge for more than an hour as officers attempted to talk the woman to safety.

REVELLERS were caught up in long traffic queues last nightafter a young woman threatened to jump off the Orwell Bridge near Ipswich.

Police were alerted by members of the public shortly before 7pm and closed the eastbound carriageway of the A14 at the bridge for more than an hour as officers attempted to talk the woman to safety.

A major emergency operation was launched with the Harwich RNLI lifeboat, Felixstowe coastguard and Holbrook coastguard deployed to the scene. The search and rescue helicopter at Wattisham was also put on standby.

Traffic was diverted off the A14 at the Wherstead interchange and motorists faced delays in the area.

The woman was reportedly threatening to jump off the bridge at midnight but was talked down by police just before 8.20pm.