The UK and Europe were treated to a widespread display of the Northern Lights on Sunday, one of the final shows of the season.

Late Sunday evening, a powerful aurora borealis reached far into Europe.

Visible as far as the Alps, the geomagnetic storm appeared a day after the Lyrid meteor shower reached its peak.

The Northern Lights actually happen all year round, but since the Sun's rays are a million times more powerful, we can only see the display when it's dark.

Therefore, it is typically during the winter months that we have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Aurora displays are starting to become more commonplace in the UK and Ireland as the Sun enters the most active phase of its solar cycle.

As the Sun approaches this phase, which it should reach in 2025, larger and more frequent solar flares and coronal mass ejection events will shoot solar particles towards Earth, triggering auroras.

If you were one of the lucky ones who saw the Northern Lights, we want to see your photos and videos too! Use the uploader to submit your shots.