SKY watchers spend thousands on trips to Iceland seeking a glimpse of the Northern Lights, but one photographer has captured images of the spectacular phenomenon at home in the North-East.

Press Association photographer Owen Humphreys, from Whitley Bay, has a special interest in the natural light show bordering on a “small obsession”.

The 44-year-old began searching for the Aurora borealis in the skies above the north of England around three years ago.

He has driven thousands of miles and waited for hours to capture the natural wonder lighting up the night sky.

Mr Humphreys said: “I became very interested in the Northern Lights and wanted to show people what was going on sometimes in the skies at night when most folk are asleep, and show that you could actually capture the Northern Lights without travelling to the far North such as Iceland.

“My aim was to get as many famous or interesting landmarks across the north of England stretching up into Northumberland and into Cumbria’s Lake District.

Mr Humphreys said the thrill of the chase can be addictive, adding that he has often sat waiting for up to seven hours at a time and seen nothing.

Among his favourite places to see the aurora are St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, and Dunstanburgh Castle, Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island.