ST HELENS' skies were illuminated by the northern lights last night.

The lights, also known as aurora borealis, dazzled as darkness fell above the borough yesterday evening, Friday, May 10.

They were visible across most of the UK overnight, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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

Here are some photographs of the northern lights captured by Star readers.

St Helens Star: Northern lights visible over Thatto HeathNorthern lights visible over Thatto Heath (Image: Jill Smyth)St Helens Star: The northern lights captured from Billinge Hill The northern lights captured from Billinge Hill (Image: Simon Halstead)St Helens Star: Northern lights Billinge HillNorthern lights Billinge Hill (Image: Simon Halstead)St Helens Star: Northern lights captured in St HelensNorthern lights captured in St Helens (Image: Sharon-Louise Hughes)

St Helens Star: Northern lightsNorthern lights (Image: St Helens Star)St Helens Star: Northern lights seen over St HelensNorthern lights seen over St Helens (Image: St Helens Star)