How the North West watched the solar eclipse

2 days ago

Paul BurnellNorth West

News image — Hannah Harrison's pets Nessa and Bracken view the eclipse in Rainford

Hannah Harrison A liver-and-white springer spaniel and a black cocker spaniel wearing eclipse glasses — Hannah Harrison's pets Nessa and Bracken view the eclipse in Rainford

Thousands of people gathered on beaches and in parks to get the best spots to watch the solar eclipse in the North West.

Between 90% and 96% of the sun slowly disappeared behind the moon, starting from just after 18:00 BST and finishing at about 19:20.

While the people of Greenland, Iceland and parts of northern Spain were destined to see a total eclipse, the eclipse witnessed in the UK was still the best since August 1999.

Huge crowds gathered at Heaton Park in Manchester, and at Crosby beach on Merseyside to watch the once-in-a-generation display.

People also flocked to Salford Quays, and tourists at Blackpool Pleasure Beach broke off to watch as the moon slowly eclipsed the sun.

Michelle Adamson/BBC Peter Meynell on the left in grey and Anthony in khaki in eclipse glasses with camera kit — Brothers Peter Meynell (L) Anthony were well prepared at Werneth Low

People scattered across Crosby beach view the eclipse. — Hundreds flocked to Crosby beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Image shows a family sitting on an artificial grass verge watching the solar eclipse, and wearing eclipse glasses. The outline of the Big One rollercoaster can be seen in the background. — People descended on Blackpool Pleasure Beach to watch the eclipse

Dozens of people can be seen sitting on a small concrete sea wall at Crosby beach in Merseyside. — People lined the shore at Crosby beach to watch the eclipse

Pauline Stain, who was Crosby beach with her partner Richard Howard, said: "It's a phenomenon. It's almost spiritual. I probably won't be alive for the next one.

"Unfortunately I missed 1999 because I was working but I'm retired now."

Image shows over a hundred people standing on a bridge at MediaCity, looking up into the sky — Crowds gathered at MediaCity in Salford to watch the once-in-a-generation display

Paul Burnell/BBC Matethew Moran has brown hair and a bward and a darwk T-shirt. He holds his home made viewer. — Matthew Morman, watching at Salford Quays, had to improvise to view the eclipse

Matthew Moran, from Salford, headed to view the event at MediaCity, taking with him a hastily assembled viewer made from a cereal box and silver foil.

"I did it about 30 minutes ago and it's working," he said.