A WOULD be thief was rushed to hospital after he called police for help when he fell through the roof of a bingo hall in Irvine.

It is believed that the man was attempting to break in to the Buzz Bingo Hall, formerly Gala Bingo, in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) when he fell through the roof.

Sources told the Times that the man phoned the police himself after the fall.

Police confirmed that a 40-year-old man was currently receiving treatment at Crosshouse Hospital.

A police spokesperson said: "About 5.50am on Thursday, January 10, Police Scotland received reports of a man having fallen through the roof of a business premise on Townhead, Irvine.

"Officers attended, traced a 40-year-old man within and contacted the Ambulance Service due to the potential injuries he had sustained.

"The man was conveyed to Crosshouse Hospital by Ambulance for assessment.

"Following police enquiries the man was arrested and charged in relation to a theft by housebreaking from the property - a full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal."