The Northern Lights have lit up the night sky with rare sightings across Hampshire.

Winchester and Romsey were bathed in hues of red and green as the rare phenomenon was seen overhead in the early hours of Saturday.

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Hampshire Chronicle: Northern Lights over Teg Dow, photo: Jim Herbert

Amateur astronomer and Romsey resident David Scanlan managed to capture more than 100 photographs of the display. The last time he saw a display like this, which is very rare in Hampshire, was back in 1992. It was simply spectacular. The sky was awash with pinks, greens, reds and blues.

The Northern Lights occur when actively charged particles from the solar wind get pulled into the northern and southern magnetic poles of the Earth. 

Take a look at some of the best pictures in this gallery.