Northern Lights in dazzling display across the UK

David Severn A man points to lights in the skyDavid SevernA tree blocks out the vivid colours of the Northern Lights in Thorpe, DerbyshireThe Severn Family were treated to a display of colour at Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, Dublin. 

The Northern Lights are making a rare appearance across the UK, delighting sky watchers up and down the country. Excited onlookers shared pictures of the lights, also known as aurora borealis, from areas including Liverpool, Kent, Norfolk and Sussex. There have also been sightings in parts of Scotland.

They became visible after one of the strongest geomagnetic storms for years hit Earth, with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issuing a rare solar storm warning. Such storms increase people's chances of seeing the lights.PA Media Northern Lights at St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay PA Media The aurora borealis glow on the horizon at St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay. PA Media Northern Lights above Crosby Beach, LiverpoolPA Media

Crosby Beach, in Liverpool, had a great view of the lights. Storms of this scale could potentially impact infrastructure, including satellites and the power grid, the NOAA warned.According to BBC Weather, clear skies - like those on Friday evening - make a sighting possible from most parts of the UK.People in Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern parts of England usually have a higher likelihood.

BBC Weather presenter Elizabeth Rizzini said: "It's fantastic conditions, the skies are pretty clear at the moment."There could be some low cloud that comes into East Anglia and the south west of England and Lincolnshire coast, but generally skies are pretty clear at the moment."

She added: "Tonight's the night but it will probably be visible tomorrow as well."Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said "conditions could continue on Saturday night, but we still have to work out some details on where exactly that will be".In the US, the NOAA said the lights might be seen as far south as Alabama and northern California.