Residents have reacted with surprise and delight as a rare cloud phenomenon was spotted in the skies on Thursday,

The "rainbow clouds", which are the first to have been spotted in the east of England for seven years, are known as nacreous clouds, which are rare due to the incredibly specific weather conditions needed to cause them to appear.

Photographers have captured the rare phenomenon in the skies above Southend, Rochford, Canvey and Benfleet. 

Echo: Rainbows - Nacreous clouds spotted in the skies above Southend Rainbows - Nacreous clouds spotted in the skies above Southend (Image: Liz Holmwood)

Scroll down to see more of their beautiful images of the phenomenon. 

Echo: Leigh - Rainbows in the clouds above Leigh Leigh - Rainbows in the clouds above Leigh (Image: Tracey Lane)

Echo: Rare - These are the first nacreous clouds to be seen in the east of England in seven years Rare - These are the first nacreous clouds to be seen in the east of England in seven years (Image: Clare Conner Jenkinson)

Echo: Shoebury - Nacreous clouds over Shoebury Shoebury - Nacreous clouds over Shoebury (Image: Kaileigh Claridge)

Echo: Canvey - Clouds spotted gleaming over Canvey Canvey - Clouds spotted gleaming over Canvey (Image: Marco Figueira)