A natural phenomena known as the Northern Lights were captured by a south Essex photographer early this morning.

The lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, were captured by Cheryl McGibbon in the skies above Rayleigh after she spotted them at 4:20am on Tuesday.

The three pictures show the light’s hues of green and violet visible against a deep blue sky.

(Image: Cheryl McGibbon)

The Met Office had informed residents the spectacle would be visible in parts of the country in the early hours and overnight on Monday, and overnight on Tuesday (September 17).

The aurora is seen infrequently above the UK but were quite widespread across south Essex back in May due to strong geomagnetic storms.

(Image: Cheryl McGibbon)

The Met Office Space Weather forecast reads: "Two coronal mass ejections and up to three coronal holes feature in the forecast, with Early Monday 16 September expected to be when the two coronal mass ejections and one coronal hole fast wind arrive, potentially combining.

"This could bring visible aurora across Scotland, Northern Ireland and perhaps parts of England early on Monday, though peak geomagnetic activity is expected to occur during daylight hours.

"Lingering effects may then continue into the following night, once again with aurora sightings across Scotland, Northern Ireland and perhaps parts of England on the night of Tuesday 17 September."

The Northern Lights are caused by charged particles from the sun hitting gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

The colours occur due to different gases in the Earth's atmosphere being energised by the charged particles.

Nitrogen and oxygen are the two most common gases in the atmosphere, with nitrogen emitting purple, blue and pink colours and oxygen emitting green.