PEOPLE across the Bradford district were left in awe after seeing the Northern Lights put on a rare, amazing show in the skies last night.

The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, were spotted up and down the country - including in our area.

The Telegraph & Argus has received so many stunning pictures of the colourful spectacle from readers - thank you.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Submitted by Tabassum YunisSubmitted by Tabassum Yunis (Image: T&A Camera Club)

Tabassum Yunis, who witnessed the Northern Lights in Bradford, said: "It was an absolutely stunning display."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Submitted by Martin BerrySubmitted by Martin Berry (Image: T&A Camera Club)

Martin Berry described seeing "incredible beauty" over Keighley.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Submitted by Julie WilkinsonSubmitted by Julie Wilkinson (Image: T&A Camera Club)

Julie Wilkinson said the sight was "just incredible" over Ilkley Moor.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Submitted by Rob Palmer Submitted by Rob Palmer (Image: Reader picture via Send Us Your News)

Rob Palmer said: "There must have been more than 200 people on the Chevin, Otley, last night to witness the aurora. What an incredible thing to witness right on our doorstep."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Submitted by Mike PrestoSubmitted by Mike Presto (Image: Reader picture via email)

Mike Presto said the spectacle in Eccleshill was an "epic display".

The visibility of the Northern Lights was increased on Friday because of an "extreme" geomagnetic storm, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Submitted by Kelly DobsonSubmitted by Kelly Dobson (Image: Reader picture via our Facebook)

The NOAA said the G5 geomagnetic storm, which is considered extreme and is the strongest level of geomagnetic storm, hit earth on Thursday.

The cause of this storm is a "large, complex" sunspot cluster and is 17 times the diameter of earth, with the last storm with a G5 rating hitting earth in October 2003, causing power outages in Sweden.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Submitted by Matthew BroadbentSubmitted by Matthew Broadbent (Image: Reader picture via our Facebook)

If you missed it, Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon said the Northern Lights may be visible tonight - so eyes to the skies later.

"Those conditions could continue on Saturday night but we still have to work out some details on where exactly that will be," he added.

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

In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place within a band known as the aurora oval, covering latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees.

When activity is strong, this expands to cover a greater area – which explains why displays can be occasionally seen as far south as the UK.