Devon residents wake up to spectacular sunrise

The pink sky has been pictured over Torquay

Early risers across the south-west of England awoke to stunning skies on Tuesday morning.

Many residents in Devon captured pictures of the weather event which saw the sky turning shades of red, pink and orange.

The sunrise was pictured over areas including West Buckland, Torquay, Seaton and Tedburn St Mary.

Some images showed the spectacular sunrise reflecting off the water in parts of the county.

So, why does the sky change colour?

David Braine, BBC weather presenter

"We have to have the right conditions in the upper atmosphere to create a good sunrise or sunset.

"This often means that with completely clear skies sunrise and sunset may not be dramatic.

"But with an advancing weather front which brings the high-level cloud in first, some dust or particles also in the air, and the right timing, then we can get spectacular sunrises that can rival anywhere in the world.

"However, there is a well used and often correct weather folklore that 'red sky at night, shepherd's delight... red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning'.

"In simple terms what produces the red sunrise is the high-level cloud that is in advance of the weather front that will bring rain later in the day."

The spectacular sunrise pictured over West Buckland in Devon

The sunrise reflecting off the water in Seaton

Residents in Tedburn St Mary were greeted by the sunrise on Tuesday morning