Londoners watched a spectacular solar eclipse on Wednesday evening, the deepest over the UK since 1999.,

The nearly two-hour long event began at 6.17pm, before reaching its peak around 7.15pm, when around 90% of the Sun wwas obscured.

Hundreds of people rushed to shops this week in search of specialist eclipse glasses to view the phenomenon, while others used homemade devices to safely watch it.

Eye experts have warned people never to look directly at the Sun, as doing so can cause serious and potentially permanent damage to eyesight. Only approved solar-viewing equipment should be used.

There will be several partial eclipses in the years ahead.

On August 2, 2027, a partial eclipse will be visible from the UK during the morning, with around 30% to 45% of the Sun covered.

The partial eclipse will begin around 9am in London. It will reach maximum at 10am and end around 11am.

Another small partial eclipse will follow on January 26, 2028.

But the most dramatic partial eclipse will not arrive until September 3, 2081, when around 99% of the Sun is expected to be obscured.

For those hoping to witness a total solar eclipse from the UK, however, the wait will be a long one — more than six decades after tonight’s event, on September 23, 2090.