The Northern Lights has lit up the night sky with rare sightings across the country - with some of the best pictures taken in Hertfordshire.

The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, has been spotted the county, as residents stayed up late to catch the rare phenomenon on camera.

Most people spend thousands of pounds heading to Lapland in Finland to catch the stunning light show - but last night it lit up Hertfordshire to the delight of residents.

Herts Advertiser: The Northern Lights over St Albans Cathedral.The Northern Lights over St Albans Cathedral. (Image: Matt Low)

Herts Advertiser: Michael Gibson's stunning picture showed the vivid colours of the Northern Lights.Michael Gibson's stunning picture showed the vivid colours of the Northern Lights. (Image: Michael Gibson)

Visibility of the Northern Lights was increased on Friday because of an “extreme” geomagnetic storm, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NOAA said the G5 geomagnetic storm, which is considered extreme and is the strongest level of geomagnetic storm, hit earth on Thursday and could affect communications, GPS and power grids.

Herts Advertiser: Here's what the Northern Lights looked like over Letchworth.Here's what the Northern Lights looked like over Letchworth. (Image: James Gore)

Herts Advertiser: The Aurora captured over Stevenage.The Aurora captured over Stevenage. (Image: Andrew Cook)

Herts Advertiser: People looked up last night for a rare sighting of the Northern Lights over the UK.People looked up last night for a rare sighting of the Northern Lights over the UK. (Image: Supplied)

The cause of this storm is a “large, complex” sunspot cluster and is 17 times the diameter of earth, with the last storm with a G5 rating hitting earth in October 2003, causing power outages in Sweden.

The NOAA said the lights could be seen as far south as Alabama and southern California in the US.

Herts Advertiser: Northern Lights over St Albans.Northern Lights over St Albans. (Image: Matt Low)

Herts Advertiser: The Northern Lights stunned Hertfordshire residents.The Northern Lights stunned Hertfordshire residents. (Image: Laura Wright)

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said on Friday there was a good chance for the Northern Lights to be seen.

He said: “Although the shorter nights will limit the visibility window, there’s a good chance to see the aurora, particularly on Friday night and especially in Scotland, Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales.

Herts Advertiser: Matt Low's stunning pictures of the Northern Lights over St Albans Cathedral.Matt Low's stunning pictures of the Northern Lights over St Albans Cathedral. (Image: Matt Low)

Herts Advertiser: Lights in the sky over St Albans.Lights in the sky over St Albans. (Image: Henry Metcalf)

“There could even be visibility further south if you have the right equipment.

“Those conditions could continue on Saturday night but we still have to work out some details on where exactly that will be.”

Mr Dixon said the combination of clear skies and enhanced activity from the sun reaching Earth would improve the chances of seeing the display.