Northern Lights spotted over Torbay in rare overnight display

Torquay night owls were treated to an unexpected light show overnight as the Northern Lights made a rare appearance over the bay.

The spectacle followed an extreme space weather alert issued by the Met Office after a powerful solar flare sent charged particles towards Earth. The resulting geomagnetic storm pushed the aurora borealis far further south than usual, lighting up skies across parts of the UK - including the English Riviera.

The displays were best seen in the small hours, with breaks in cloud around 4am offering the clearest views, although some lucky observers reported spotting the lights a few hours before midnight.

Such sightings are rare this far south, making the overnight display an unusual moment for skywatchers across Torbay.