A flash of light has been spotted in the skies above the north and north-east by dozens of social media users tonight.

A member of the Aberdeen Astronomical Society explained it was likely to have been an exploding meteor.

The internet was awash with reports of a “big white flash” at about 7pm.

Witnesses across the Highlands and Aberdeenshire said they had seen the explosion – but said that it was not accompanied by any thunder.

Facebook user Wayne MacDonald was first to post CCTV footage of the massive flash online from Inverness.

And videos were uploaded by many people to a popular Facebook group called Scotland by the Roadside.

Highland councillor Ken Gowans told the Press and Journal he had witnessed the flash.

“I was standing in my upstairs room on the phone, blethering away and the next thing there was this big flash. It was a fair size, and a light, greeny colour.

“I phoned the police. They said they had received numerous reports of it.

“It was almost due south from where I am in Westhill. This thing was massive – but there was no sound.”

Social media erupted as people took to Twitter to debate what caused the flashes – with several tweeting the Royal Astronomical Society.

Did you see the flashes or hear a rumbling? Let us know and send in your pictures/video to webpix@ajl.co.uk

@RoyalAstroSoc 18:50GMT Report long flashes of light above Inverness. Sustained 1-3sec flashes across sky. Daylight colours. No thunder. ?? — Conor O'Hara (@SigilArts) February 29, 2016

Anyone local just see a bright flash lighting up whole sky. Not lightning. Reports of brilliant meteor like object. — John Poyner (@rothiemoon) February 29, 2016

Did anyone else see that big white flash in the sky about 20 minutes ago? (Coming into Inverness on A96) — Jackie Hendry (@JackieHendrySNP) February 29, 2016