This is your guide to catching a glimpse of the annual Leonid meteor shower in County Durham.

The Leonids, usually fast, bright meteors, are associated with Comet Tempel-Tuttle.

The point where the Leonids appear to stream from is at the head of the constellation Leo the Lion, hence the name.

As the comet follows the path around the sun, this leaves a small path of debris causing the streaks of light we call meteors.

Meteors can be viewed by the naked eye, and the best chance to see them is somewhere dark and clear, away from light pollution.

When can I see the Leonid meteor shower fly across County Durham?

The Northern Echo: Where to look for the Leonid meteor shower (PA)Where to look for the Leonid meteor shower (PA)

This year the meteor shower will be most visible pre-dawn Wednesday night, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

While this is when it will be most visible, if you miss out on Wednesday night then the shower will still be visible, just slightly so, for several days on either side.

County Durham's Met Office forecast for the Leonid meteor shower

Durham's weather forecast for Wednesday through to Friday is predicted to be cloudy and overcast.

You might still catch a glimpse of the beautiful sight in the pre-dawn hours - so don't give up hope.

Displays are better when the Tempel-Tuttle comet, which takes 33 years to orbit the sun, is closer to the Earth, an occurrence which is next due in about 15 years.

Across the North in general, the Met Office has issued a forecast for Wednesday to Friday. Expect changeable weather with spells of rain or showers and wind.