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The Northern Lights could be visible across the Midlands tonight, according to experts.

AuroraWatch UK at Lancaster University has issued its second highest alert for sightings of the Aurora Borealis in the UK.

And the experts say the colourful spectre could be visible as far south as the Midlands – as well as reaching Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England.

However, this all hangs on the level of cloud cover in the sky this evening (March 17).

According to the Met Office, due to the extensive cloud cover in eastern areas, the best chance of clear skies is to the west of high ground.

Areas such as the northern tip of Northern Ireland, the Western Isles and parts of North Wales probably stand the best chance of seeing the aurora.

The Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, is a natural light display caused by charged particles colliding in the Earth’s atmosphere and is seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemisphere.

Last year there were reports of the Northern Lights been visible in Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield.

The UK is due to experience a near-total eclipse of the sun on March 20,2015. It is due to begin in Birmingham at 8.25am and peak at 9.31am.