Rainbow clouds light up skies over West Midlands

The rare rainbow-like phenomenon, seen here in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, is known as Nacreous cloud

Rare rainbow clouds have brightened skies across the West Midlands.

Known as a Nacreous clouds, they form in very cold conditions over the poles and in the stratosphere, up to 19 miles (31km) high, far above normal clouds.

BBC Weather Watches have been sending in their photos of the "phenomenon".

Sometimes called mother-of-pearl, it is formed in air that is about -80C (-112F) which causes tiny ice crystals to reflect the sunlight, giving the cloud pearly colours.

BBC Weather Watchers sent in their pictures including this one from Gemma, in Codsall, south Staffordshire

Commuters in Stratford-upon-Avon on Thursday morning saw the sunrise with a multicoloured tinge

A tree stood tall in silhouette as the sun rose in Bromyard, Herefordshire

It was still dark in Telford, Shropshire when the rainbow clouds could be seen

For more information about BBC Weather Watchers, take a look at the website.