Crowds in awe at solar eclipse in South's skies

People across the south of England looked up at the sky in awe on Wednesday night, as the region experienced a solar eclipse.

More than 90% of the Sun was covered by the Moon for much of the region, making it the most coverage seen from the UK and Ireland since the 1999 eclipse.

In some areas, including at Hengistbury Head in Dorset, crowds assembled for special events to witness the astronomical phenomenon.

Much of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight enjoyed perfect clear skies, giving people there an unrivalled view as the eclipse peaked shortly after 19:00 BST.

Some had been successful in getting hold of solar eclipse glasses, but the vital eye protectors were in short supply in the run-up to the event with most selling out.

But that did not deter people, with colanders, cereal boxes and pieces of paper all deployed to witness the event - which was described by scientists as "once in a generation".