A stunning solar phenomenon was captured over the North East last night.

Residents across the North East from Whitley Bay to Sherburn Hill managed to get a glimpse of the incredible sun halo and sundogs on Sunday (May 28) evening.

The impressive display creates a ring of light around the sun, and happens when sunlight is refracted, or bent, by ice crystals in the atmosphere. It creates a bright ring around the sun which looks like a halo.

Read more: Man who couldn't get NHS dentist appointment discovers aggressive cancerous tumour

Meanwhile sundogs are spots of light which appear to the left, or right, or both sides of the sun, again due to refraction from light crystals. The rare sight is known as a mock sun, and appears at 22 degrees in the sky in the right conditions.

One onlooker said: “I’ve never seen anything like it before, it’s just stunning.”

Members of the Northern Echo Camera Club were quick to head out to capture the impressive sight for themselves.

Here are some of our Camera Club members’ best pictures of the solar phenomenon.

The Northern Echo: The sun captured in Sherburn Village.The sun captured in Sherburn Village. (Image: DAVID EVERETT/NORTHERN ECHO CAMBERA CLUB)

The Northern Echo: Stunning sundog pictures.Stunning sundog pictures. (Image: PAUL TURNBULL/NORTHERN ECHO CAMBERA CLUB)

The Northern Echo: Our PA colleagues in Whitley Bay captured this image.Our PA colleagues in Whitley Bay captured this image. (Image: PA)

The Northern Echo: The Angel of the North wearing the sun's haloThe Angel of the North wearing the sun's halo (Image: SUSAN RAMSAY)

The Northern Echo: The stunning solar phenomenon was captured on Sunday night.The stunning solar phenomenon was captured on Sunday night. (Image: JAN PANKE)

The Northern Echo: Another snap from Whitley BayAnother snap from Whitley Bay (Image: PA)

The Northern Echo: The sun from Sherburn HillThe sun from Sherburn Hill (Image: IAN MOORE/NORTHERN ECHO CAMBERA CLUB)

The Northern Echo: Another snapAnother snap (Image: IAN MOORE/NORTHERN ECHO CAMBERA CLUB)

Did you see the solar phenomenon last night? Send your pictures to us on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or to daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk.