THE northern lights were visible in the skies across many parts of the country, including Warrington.

Residents rushed out of their front doors and into the cold, cameras at the ready, to capture the unforgettable sights of bright pinks, blues and greens lighting up the sky.

It was thanks to the clear skies yesterday evening, Thursday, that meant the aurora borealis was visible to the naked eye - or in most cases through a camera lens.

The auroras are influenced by geomagnetic storms which come from activity on the sun.

And the Met Office has stated that the recent appearances of the northern lights have been a result of the fact the sun was nearing the peak of its solar cycle - it has around 11 cycles a year.

READ MORE > Will the Northern Lights be visible in Warrington tonight?

Northern lights display in the skies 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.

Many of you have been kind enough to send in your beautiful pictures, capturing the magnificent light display that occurred last night.

We have featured some of our favourites below:

This was taken in LongbarnThis was taken in Longbarn (Image: Jayne Flower) Taken in PenkethTaken in Penketh (Image: Cameron Spence) Lights above St Andrews Church in OrfordLights above St Andrews Church in Orford (Image: Olivia Gorton) The northern lights above Orford ParkThe northern lights above Orford Park (Image: Weronika Stachelek) This beautiful picture was taken in Warrington last nightThis beautiful picture was taken in Warrington last night (Image: Loren Hazell) The northern lights captured outside a Warrington homeThe northern lights captured outside a Warrington home (Image: Jaw Knee Costa) The northern lights captured outside a Warrington homeThe northern lights captured outside a Warrington home (Image: Jaw Knee Costa) This was taken in HowleyThis was taken in Howley (Image: Gary Stevenson) The northern lights visible in CulchethThe northern lights visible in Culcheth (Image: James Addis) This delightful picture was taken in Glazebrook This delightful picture was taken in Glazebrook (Image: Emma Chapman) This was captured on Longbutt Lane in Lymm This was captured on Longbutt Lane in Lymm (Image: Gill Sander) The skies in Appleton were lit up too last nightThe skies in Appleton were lit up too last night (Image: Jessie Mook) Birchwood was a vision of pinks and blues last nightBirchwood was a vision of pinks and blues last night (Image: Danielle Brown) This fantastic picture was taken by a Warrington residentThis fantastic picture was taken by a Warrington resident (Image: Gaz Nightingale) Above Hatton StablesAbove Hatton Stables (Image: Marie Hayley) Howley residents experienced the northern lights Howley residents experienced the northern lights (Image: Gary Stevenson) Incredible pink lights in the Warrington skiesIncredible pink lights in the Warrington skies (Image: Jaw Knee Costa) Another beautiful picture captured by a resident in Warrington Another beautiful picture captured by a resident in Warrington (Image: Adriana Eveline) The northern lights in Warrington The northern lights in Warrington (Image: Jaw Knee Costa) Callands residents enjoyed the view of the northern lights last nightCallands residents enjoyed the view of the northern lights last night (Image: Carla Day)