CUMBRIA was provided with a stunning display of colour as the Northern Lights shone brightly over the county. 

The night sky over Sunday through to yesterday  morning was transformed as the beautiful lights, known as aurora borealis, appeared in different parts of Cumbria. 

Keen photographers across the county were busy taking pictures of the display in a range of locations, including Millom, Askam, Carlisle, Silloth and Shap. 

Photographer David Euden was out taking these shots on Askam Beach on Sunday, which showed off the Northern Lights' most common colours - pink and green. 

The aurora borealis was visible as far south as Oxfordshire as skies cleared late on Sunday. 

The spectacle is caused by charged solar particles interacting with the Earth's magnetic field and is usually only visible in the far north of Scotland. 

A "lucky combination" of conditions in the lower atmosphere and in space meant the phenomenon was visible across other parts of the country, according to Met Office space weather adviser Amanda Townsend. 

She said: "Once in a while the solar winds are enhanced to levels stronger than normal, with particles at higher speeds, and on this occasion it has connected really well with the Earth's magnetic field."

Many took to social media to share their photos of the Northern Lights.

Those who missed the stellar light show in England might have to wait a while for the next display. 

Ms Townsend said: "The strongest part of the geomagnetic storm has passed and it probably won't be as strong on Monday night, so the main places to see aurora will be in north Scotland."

  • Did you get a picture of the Northern Lights on Sunday? Send it to news@nwemail.co.uk  and we'll add it to this article