Gallery: Clear skies give UK star gazers rare view of the Northern Lights

An Aurora is seen on the horizon behind Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

The night sky over Northumberland was lit up a festive red and green early this morning.

The clear skies gave a rare look at the Northern Lights or aurora borealis

An Aurora is seen on the horizon behind Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

The display is caused by naturally charged particles from the Sun entering the Earth's atmosphere.

An Aurora is seen on the horizon behind Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
An Aurora is seen on the horizon behind Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
An Aurora is seen on the horizon behind Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire