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East of England illuminated by Northern Lights

News imageTora/BBC Weather Watchers Northern Lights in Brill, in BuckinghamshireTora/BBC Weather Watchers
Northern Lights were seen here in Brill, Buckinghamshire - and across much of the East

Night owls and star gazers were treated to a spectacular display of colour as the Northern Lights lit up the skies across the East of England.

Pictures of the lights, also known as aurora borealis, have flooded social media and there are likely to be further sightings on Saturday night.

They could be seen after one of the strongest geomagnetic storms for years hit Earth.

People are advised to wait until after 22:30 BST for the best views.

News imageT/BBC Weather Watchers Northern Lights in CambridgeT/BBC Weather Watchers
Hospital staff gathered to capture the lights in Cambridge
News imageColMandSophx/BBA Weather Watchers Northern Lights in Long Crendon, BuckinghamshireColMandSophx/BBA Weather Watchers
They were celebrated in Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire
News imageColin Shead Northern Lights near Braintree, EssexColin Shead
Northern Lights turned the sky pink near Braintree in Essex
News imageDaniel1993/BBC Weather Watchers Northern Lights in Attleborough, in NorfolkDaniel1993/BBC Weather Watchers
Northern Lights made the perfect backdrop to a church in Attleborough, Norfolk
News imageSolfire/BBC Weather Watchers Northern Lights in PeterboroughSolfire/BBC Weather Watchers
Peterborough was turned pink and purple
News imageCambs Police Police car and Northern LightsCambs Police
Police in the east of Cambridgeshire were treated to a beautiful night sky
News imageNicSki/BBC Weather Watchers Northern Lights in Burnham on Crouch in EssexNicSki/BBC Weather Watchers
In Burnham on Crouch in Essex, they lit up the sky
News imageDavey T/BBC Weather Watchers Northern Lights in Martlesham, SuffolkDavey T/BBC Weather Watchers
In Martlesham, Suffolk, it seemed a good idea to point at them - after all, it's not that common to see them
News imageHerts Police Northern Lights in HertfordshireHerts Police
Hertfordshire police officers took a moment out of the night shift to capture photos
News imagecraigmiddleton895/BBC Weather Watchers Northern Lights in Northamptoncraigmiddleton895/BBC Weather Watchers
And in Northampton, as in many other places, everyone was out with their phone cameras
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