A promising student studying at Durham University is believed to have fallen to his death from a multi-storey building in Tokyo as he attempted to watch the New Year’s celebrations from the building’s rooftop.

Justin Browning, a 21-year-old student enjoying a year abroad at Wadesa University, was reportedly discovered soon after by a taxi driver, who heard him fall from a nearby rooftop.

Following the announcement of his death, Professor Anthony Bash, a senior tutor at Durham’s Hatfield college, said of the third-year history student: “We are not entirely clear about what happened, but I have been told that Justin went to the top of a high-rise building in Tokyo to watch the new year celebrations.

“He became separated from his friends, and tragically fell to his death.”

Mr Browning, on course to achieve a First Class Honours degree, was believed to have been drinking before the fatal accident occurred.