
A travel company boss has captured what could be the ultimate selfie after photographing himself at the top of Brazil's iconic Christ The Redeemer statue.

Very few people are able to climb the landmark in Rio de Janeiro, but Lee Thompson was able to convince the Brazilian tourist board to let him scale the monument .

It took the 31-year-old almost half an hour to reach the summit of 124ft-high statue, climbing narrow steps where a single misplaced move would have resulted in serious injury, or worse.

Scroll down for video

The ultimate selfie? Travel company boss Lee Thompson was allowed to climb the 124ft-high Christ The Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, taking a selfie as he reached the top

Head for heights: It took the 31-year-old almost half an hour to reach the summit of 124-foot statue, climbing narrow steps where a single misplaced move would have resulted in serious injury, or worse

However, it was all worth it for the Londoner when he poked his head out of the top of the statue to be met by the sight of the sprawling city below.

He then managed to take a photograph of himself in one of the greatest ever selfies.

Mr Thompson, who co-founded group travel firm www.theflashpack.co.uk, said: 'I think it must be the first selfie from the top of Christ The Redeemer.

'The climb took 25 minutes. They had been repairing it after a lightning storm and we managed to convince the Brazilian tourist board to allow us to climb to the top.

World at his feet: Very few people are able to climb the landmark in Rio de Janeiro, but Mr Thompson was able to convince the Brazilian tourist board to let him scale the monument

'It was extremely hot, eerily quiet and claustrophobic. It was really quite scary.

'The last bit sees you climbing a tiny, very tight staircase and if you fall, you fall a long way.

'When I popped my head out of the top it took my breath away. The view really was incredible. It is the most fun selfie I've taken and one of my favourite photos.

'Everyone says it is crazy and it makes them feel sick just looking at it.

'I have had lots of messages from Brazilians who say it is something they have always wanted to do.

'Very few people have ever been able to do it.'

Iconic: The Christ The Redeemer statue is one of Brazil's most famous landmarks, and will no doubt be visted by hundreds of football fans as they flock to the country for this month's World Cup