Steven Lomas took this shot in South Shields

Northern Lights visible over the North East - take a look at readers' incredible photos

Take a look at readers' incredible photos of Thursday's Northern Lights display

by · ChronicleLive

The Northern Lights have been visible over the North East once again tonight, with people across the region lucky enough to catch a glimpse.

Pink and green hues were picked up in photos almost as soon as darkness fell in the UK. And it's good news for people who have missed out so far, as sightings could continue throughout the night.

It comes as the sun is currently going through a period of high activity known as Solar Maximum, with increased solar storms and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) which help to create the colourful celestial phenomenon.

The Met Office Space Weather forecast confirmed that a "large material-rich full halo" coronal mass ejection was observed leaving the Sun early on October 9, and predicted to hit Earth late on Thursday or early on Friday.

Among those to see the Northern Lights on Thursday night was Laura Slater and her family, who viewed the display from Watergate Lake, in Lobley Hill. Sharing her photo on Facebook, she said: "Me and the husband took the three kids up. First time for us all seeing them, so surreal."

Take a look at readers' incredible photos of Thursday's Northern Lights display.

Stewart Thompson's photo taken from Killingworth Lake(Image: Stewart Thompson)
Yvonne Graham's captured the Northern Lights at Durham Cathedral(Image: Yvonne Graham)
Helen Bingham captured this photo from Cambois beach(Image: Helen Bingham)
Becki Hambleton's shot from Arbeia Fort, South Shields(Image: Becki Hambleton)
Dogs take centre stage in Anna Cowperthwaite's photo(Image: Anna Cowperthwaite)
Laura Slater said: "From Watergate lake, Lobley Hill. Me and the husband took the 3 kids up, first time for us all seeing them, so surreal"(Image: Laura Slater)