Northern Lights in spectacular Christmas Eve time-lapse footage, UK

Spectacular views of Northern Lights in the UK

This stunning time-lapse footage shows the spectacular moment the Northern Lights were spotted over parts of the UK skyline this Christmas Eve.

The dazzling display, known as the Aurora Borealis, appeared in colours of pink and green in the early hours above the beach near the iconic Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland.

Captured by photographers Owen Humpherys and Tom White, the spectacular show is usually only viewable from places close to the North Pole.

Experts say it is quite unusual to see the spectacle with such clarity here in the UK.

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But the North East coast is one of the best spots to catch a glimpse.

The stunning phenomenon occurs when highly charged electrons from solar wind interact with elements in the earth's atmosphere.

As the electrons enter the upper atmosphere, they encounter atoms of oxygen and nitrogen at altitudes from 20 to 200 miles above the earth's surface.

The colour of the aurora depends on which atom is struck, and the altitude of the meeting.