The Northern Lights in Redcar, Hartlepool, Sunderland

People across the North East have captured stunning pictures of the Northern Lights which lit up the night sky last night - take a look at some snaps here.

Stargazers across the region were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights last night (October 8) also known as the Aurora Borealis.

From Hartlepool to Redcar, Sedgefield and Sunderland, eagle eyed photographers snapped pictures of the stunning display of green and pink.

The lights are caused by solar storms reacting with gases in Earth’s atmosphere as professors say more sightings could be on the way.

Dr Steph Yardley, a space scientist at Northumbria University, said last week that the region of the Sun which has been producing the flares, has been particularly active.

She explained: “This region on the Sun is one to watch as it has been quite active over the past few days, previously producing another strong flare on October 1 that was also associated with a solar eruption.

“Both eruptions associated with the strong flares are Earth-directed and we expect them to impact us sometime between October 4-6, meaning auroras might be visible in Scotland and North England during this period.”

Here are just a few pictures of the Northern Lights.

The Northern Lights in Weardale. (Image: ANDREW THISTLETHWAITE) People enjoying the Northern Lights. (Image: DAVINA BUCHANAN) The Northern Lights in South Shields. (Image: ALAN SWANN) The Northern Lights in Hartlepool. (Image: SIMON McCABE) The Northern Lights in Sunderland. (Image: GRAEME GALL) The Northern Lights in Hardwick Park, Sedgefield. (Image: OLIVER SHERRATT)