Le Spider-Man crawls up Lloyd's

French daredevil Alain Robert was arrested last week after scaling the Lloyd's building in London as part of a protest on climate change. / Reuters

Many workers in London, particularly those in the financial district, were warned to dress down to avoid attracting attention when the leaders of the Group of 20 industrialized nations came to town earlier this month.

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets to protest the global economic crisis and climate change, among other issues, as G-20 leaders met in London.

But workers at Lloyd's of London probably were not prepared for a surprise visitor to the iconic Lloyd's building.

As part of a protest against climate change, Alain Robert, an urban climber known as the French Spider-Man, was arrested April 2 for "aggravated trespass" as he attempted to scale the Lloyd's building. Mr. Robert reached the ninth floor of the 14-story building and unveiled a banner saying there are 100 months to save the planet.

He was arrested when he climbed back down.

Mr. Robert is well-known for his ascents of various international landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Sydney Opera House and the Sears Tower in Chicago.

It's not the first time Mr. Robert has climbed the famous Richard Rogers-designed Lloyd's building. In May 2003, he reportedly was paid $18,000 to promote "Spider-Man," starring Tobey Maguire as the hero, for movie's premier on a British television station.

The French Spider-Man's feats come despite a 66% disability due to vertigo, according to Mr. Robert's Web site.