Cumbrians lap up rare chance to see Northern Lights – see the pictures

The natural phenomenon was visible to the naked eye as far south as Devon on Wednesday night, due to a particularly strong solar flare, known as a coronal mass ejection.

For some, such as Paul Spackman, 54, this was the first time they had been able to see the phenomenon.

SPECTACLE: Captured by 17-year-old Euan MacDonald from Brampton

The graphic designer, from near Ennerdale in Cumbria, said he had been using apps for five years in an effort to catch a glimpse.

“I use a couple of apps on my phone which let me know the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights,” he said.

“I’ve been getting a lot of amber alerts over the last week or so but not not had any luck seeing anything.

“Last night when I got a red alert on both apps I popped on my dressing gown and went into the garden and spent some time scanning the sky.

SIGHT: News & Star Camera Club member Adrian Strand’s view from Whitehaven

“I was amazed at what I saw... I’ve never seen them before but I’ve always wanted to ever since I was young and was hoping one day to visit Norway to see them.

“Hard to put into words really, but it gave me goosebumps all over.”

Met Office space weather expert Krista Hammond said: "As was predicted by the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre, a coronal mass ejection impacted with the Earth.

COLOURS: Costas Andreou spotted the glow from Workington’s lighthouse

"The resulting strong geomagnetic storm meant the Northern Lights were visible across large areas of the UK overnight.

"We've had reports that the aurora could even be seen in some central areas of the UK, which is possible when a storm of this magnitude impacts the Earth."

She said the storm left the sun on Tuesday and hit Earth on Wednesday night, as predicted.

Ms Hammond said more space weather events were expected over the coming years to around 2025 as the sun goes through its cycle of activity.