Venus and Moon captured in skies above region

BBC Weather Watcher Georgie photographed the Moon and Venus in the sky above Crich in Derbyshire

Venus and the crescent Moon were spotted in the sky above the East Midlands - and stargazers managed to capture photos of the celestial scene.

The second planet from the Sun could be seen with the naked eye in the UK and other countries on Friday.

This prompted many BBC Weather Watchers to submit pictures of the astronomical view from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

Venus is often called the Evening Star or Morning Star because, when it is prominent, it appears as the brightest "star" in the sky.

Weather Watcher Tammy submitted this photo showing the Moon and a glimpse of Venus above Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire

This month is set to be a good time to see both Venus and Saturn, with both planets appearing 2.2° apart on 18 January.

The Quadrantid meteor shower also continues until 12 January, giving people a chance to see shooting stars.

Sky girl sent this photo in of the crescent Moon and Venus against a black sky from above Breedon on the Hill in Leicestershire

Weather Watcher SalByThePond caught the Moon and Venus while the sky was still relatively light above Cromford in Derbyshire

Maggie T Howlett submitted this photo, taken in East Leake, Nottinghamshire