Northern Lights set to be visible in Lancashire skies TONIGHT

If you look into the night sky tonight and there are no clouds then there's a fair chance you could see the Northern Lights, forecasters have said.

Aurora Watch UK - based at Lancaster University - have issued a red aurora alert, which it states means the natural phenomenon "is likely to be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK".

The aurora borealis - also known as the Northern Lights - is caused when charged particles from the sun hit gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

They occur around the North Pole when the solar wind carrying the particles interacts with the Earth's magnetic field, but during particularly powerful storms can be seen hundreds of miles further south.

This was evident in May when people across the UK - including in Lancashire - were treated to a Northern Lights show, visible to many from the comfort of their bedroom windows or back gardens.

Aurora Watch UK issued its red notice this afternoon, and also has advice on how to give yourself the best chance to see the aurora.

First off, unsurprisingly, you need darkness and a clear sky. Light pollution can make it harder to see the aurora, as do clouds which block the view of the night sky.

It may mean a late night and a small window to spot the aurora tonight, with sunset not until 9.44pm.

A thick bank of cloud is set to roll in from midnight, so 10pm to 12am will be the prime time to see the aurora, and Rossendale looks like the part of Lancashire with the clearest skies judging by forecasts, so will be the go-to place for those hunting the aurora, with its rural landscape also helping to tackle light pollution.

Aurora Watch UK also has another tip - look north. It makes sense given the name, Northern Lights.