The Northern Lights could be visible across parts of the UK on Thursday night, meteorologists are forecasting.

The lights – also known as aurora borealis – may make an appearance in the night sky over Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, according to the Met Office.

Forecasters say that the best chance of seeing the lights will be in the first half of Thursday night, with a slimmer chance of seeing them later on.

Clear skies in most parts of the UK “will make for ideal viewing conditions” despite the colder weather, the Met Office said.

Jonathan Vautrey, a Met Office meteorologist, said that hopeful spotters should look to the northern horizon, and hope for clear skies overhead.

“Tonight is going to be pretty ideal conditions as there’s going to be very little cloud,” he added.

“Sometimes it’s easier to see through a camera or telescope if you do have them.”

The Met Office said the Northern Lights might be faintly visible from the north Norfolk coast.

Aurora displays occur when charged particles collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles.

As they collide, light is emitted at various wavelengths, creating colourful displays in the sky.

In the northern hemisphere, most of this activity takes place near the Arctic Circle.

When solar activity is strong, this can expand to cover a greater area – which explains why displays can be occasionally seen as far south as the UK.

Mr Vautrey said there is another chance to see the lights on Friday night into Saturday – but the current forecast suggests seeing the aurora will be less likely than on Thursday.