In pictures: Borders landmarks lit up by Northern Lights

A number of Borders landmarks have been lit up by the Northern Lights overnight.

And sight-seers were out in force to capture the spectacle, also known as aurora borealis, on camera.

The road up to Scott's View, which boasts panoramic views over the Eildon Hills, was busy with traffic; while the River Tweed glistened as it passed under the Leaderfoot Viaduct.

The lights could be seen as far south as Kent and East Anglia, and were also spotted further north in Lancaster by Professor Jim Wild, 49, who captured the dazzling phenomenon from his back garden.

The academic, who researches the aurora and space weather at Lancaster University, told the PA news agency: "My research focuses on the physics of the connections between the Sun and the Earth.

"Over the years, I've been to the Arctic Circle several times to make measurements of the aurora, but it's really special to see the northern lights from your back garden with your whole family."

The Met Office said relatively clear skies were forecast for much of the UK, creating a "decent chance of visibility".

A spokesman for the forecaster said there had been "more space weather events in recent months", including the Northern Lights, because the sun was nearing the peak of its solar cycle.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said there was a chance of some visible auroras across parts of the UK on Thursday night and into the early hours of Friday.

WATCH: Click on the link below to view more of our images...

The auroras on Earth, which are most commonly seen over high polar latitudes but can spread south, are chiefly influenced by geomagnetic storms which originate from activity on the Sun.

Aurora displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere around the magnetic poles.

As they collide, light is emitted at various wavelengths, creating colourful displays in the sky.

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