Why are we seeing the Northern Lights so often?

Many parts of the UK have once again been treated to views of the Northern Lights.

But why have they recently been showing themselves so frequently?

This aurora on Thursday was triggered by a solar flare erupting on Tuesday as the solar wind buffeted the Earth's magnetic field.

BBC weather presenter Sabrina Lee said: "We are around the peak of an 11-year solar cycle.

"That allows for more solar activity and more frequent auroras."

Video edited by Erin Lister