Northern Lights give dazzling display over South East

Reculver, Herne Bay, Kent

The Northern Lights have lit up the skies across the UK as far down as the south east.

Photos of the lights, known as aurora borealis, were captured across Surrey, Sussex and Kent on Thursday night.

It was the strongest and most widespread showing of the phenomenon since May, according to BBC Weather.

BBC Lead Weather Presenter Simon King said: "What used to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for people to see it in the UK – or a bucket list trip to the Arctic circle – has become more common in the last couple of years."

Meteorologists advise a long exposure camera is used to capture the auroras, as the phenomenon is not always visible with the naked eye.

Here is a selection of some of the best images sent to BBC South East.

Medmerry Mill in Selsey, West Sussex

Brighton seafront, East Sussex

Henfield, West Sussex

Broadstairs, Kent

Horsham, West Sussex

Godalming, Surrey

Ringmer, East Sussex

Cuckmere, East Sussex

Sevenoaks, Kent

Charing, Kent

Eastbourne, East Sussex