A stunning and rare natural spectacle which is usually exclusive to the likes of Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Russia and Alaska has been caught on camera by an Essex photographer. 

Echo Camera Club member Aaron Chesham caught an impressive view of the northern lights in the skies above Southend around 8.37pm last night - showing the violet-hued weather phenomenon above homes.

The two images show the incredible phenomenon faintly in the skies above the city, just visible against a starless backdrop. 

The Northern Lights, also known as an aurora borealis, are seen infrequently above the UK but were quite widespread across south Essex back in May due to strong geomagnetic storms.

Northern Lights - Above Southend Northern Lights - Above Southend (Image: Aaron Chesham) These storms increase the chances of seeing the lights. 

They are caused by charged particles from the sun, which travel towards Earth, hitting gases in the planet's atmosphere and energising them. 

In that appearance, they were seen above Mistley, Colchester, Dedham, Brightlingsea, Tendring, Hadleigh, Epping and more. 

Rare - The Northern Lights Rare - The Northern Lights (Image: Aaron Chesham) The different colours come from the different gases in the atmosphere, with most commonly oxygen, which appears green, and nitrogen, which becomes visible through purple, blue and pink.