The Northern Lights lit up the skies above south Essex last night in intense red and green hues - from Basildon to Shoebury.
Clear conditions matched with the sun nearing the peak of its solar cycle meant thousands across south Essex saw one of the most astonishing displays in the night sky on Thursday night.
Members of the Echo's Camera Club and photographers across south Essex have captured the dazzling display in its full splendour as the area was treated to incredible lights.
The lights were also visible in London, Kent and across east Anglia - with the appearance in the south of England a rare occurrence.
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere around the magnetic poles, causing light to be emitted, creating colourful displays.
The sun works on an 11 year cycle, called the solar cycle, with the sun at its "solar maximum" until mid 2025 - meaning an increase in activity on the surface of the star.
This results in large bursts of energy, which can lead to visibility of the aurora borealis.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here