A chalky nature reserve that straddles Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset has been recognised as Britain's best stargazing spot after residents were urged to keep their lights off at night.

Boasting spectacular views of the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy, the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has become an official dark sky reserve.

It is the first beauty spot in Britain to be granted the special status in its entirety and has the largest central area of darkness of any sky reserve in the country.

The title is awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), based in Arizona, USA, to areas which have "exceptionally starry skies".

It took the managers of Cranborne Chase - the UK's sixth largest AONB, covering 380 sq miles of countryside - more than 10 years to meet the strict criteria required.