Northern lights seen all the way to southern England in rare but brilliant display

The northern lights in the sky over Swaffham, east England. (Reuters: James Billings)

Stargazers in England have been treated to a spectacular light show, with the northern lights stretching across the UK in a rare display.

While it's not uncommon to see the northern lights, otherwise known as aurora borealis,  in Scotland and northern parts of the UK, strong solar activity and clear skies meant that people in areas as far south as Kent and Cornwall also got to enjoy the show.