10 fantastic photos as the Northern Lights put on a dazzling display above Wearside and Tyneside

Aurora Borealis - otherwise known as the Northern Lights - put on a dazzling display above our skies and our readers were on hand to capture all the action on camera.

The Northern Lights are caused by eruptions from the sun which send solar particles towards the Earth. It is the interaction of these particles with the Earth's atmosphere that create the stunning light displays we see in the night sky.

Photographs sent to the Sunderland Echo and Shields Gazette show an array of colours providing stunning backdrops to our coastline and iconic landmarks.

Check out these fantastic photos capturing the Northern Lights in all their glory. The photographs were all taken in the early hours of this morning (November 12).