• Published

Thousands of people gathered on beaches and in parks to get the best spots to watch the solar eclipse in the North West.

Between 90% and 96% of the sun slowly disappeared behind the moon, starting from just after 18:00 BST and finishing at about 19:20.

While the people of Greenland, Iceland and parts of northern Spain were destined to see a total eclipse, the eclipse witnessed in the UK was still the best since August 1999.

Huge crowds gathered at Heaton Park in Manchester, and at Crosby beach on Merseyside to watch the once-in-a-generation display.

People also flocked to Salford Quays, and tourists at Blackpool Pleasure Beach broke off to watch as the moon slowly eclipsed the sun.

Pauline Stain, who was Crosby beach with her partner Richard Howard, said: "It's a phenomenon. It's almost spiritual. I probably won't be alive for the next one.

"Unfortunately I missed 1999 because I was working but I'm retired now."

Matthew Moran, from Salford, headed to view the event at MediaCity, taking with him a hastily assembled viewer made from a cereal box and silver foil.

"I did it about 30 minutes ago and it's working," he said.