Pretty in PINK! Strawberry moon beams over Britain in mesmerising photos from landmarks and beauty spots

• The Strawberry Full Moon was visible across the UK which coincided with a subtle penumbral lunar eclipse
• Despite fears the predicted rain clouds would ruin the view people were able to watch as the moon rose
• Strawberry Moon gets its name from the fact strawberries are ready to harvest this time of year, not the colour

As the day came to a close yesterday Britons were treated to the beautiful sight of a 'Full Strawberry Moon', which coincided with a subtle penumbral lunar eclipse.

There were fears that rain clouds would dampen the spectacle but across the country people were able to take incredible pictures of the moon which appeared in different colours when the clouds cleared.  

While it is called a Strawberry Moon, that doesn't mean it appears red or pink - the name comes from the fact strawberries are ready to harvest this time of year.

People gathered outside to get a look at the phenomenal sight, with some sitting on the side of Primrose Hill, London, and others standing on Brighton beach. 

The moon reached its peak at 20:12 BST and appeared slightly dimmer than a normal full moon due to the eclipse. 

A penumbral eclipse is the most subtle form, it occurs when the earth, sun and moon are all aligned - with the Earth casting a slight shadow over the Moon.

The clouds made it harder for skygazers in the UK to spot the dimming effects which were best seen in the southern hemisphere.     

Zoltan Toth-Czifra, founder of Under Lucky Stars, says the Full Strawberry Moon will be visible every night over the weekend and that moons always rise in the east and set in the west. 

The clouds made it harder for skygazers in the UK, such as those pictured on Primrose Hill, London, to spot the dimming effects of the eclipse

Speaking yesterday about the lunar event, he said: 'Unlike its name, the moon won't be red or pink in colour, But it will be a breath-taking full moon, so you may even see it cast moon shadows on the ground.

'This moon is named Strawberry Moon as a reference to the time of harvesting strawberries in North America, originally from Native American tribes who used the moon as an indicator of when the fruit would be ripe.

'This year has been full of astronomical events with the supermoons over the past few months and it doesn't end there.

'As always, the moon will affect the Earth's ocean, and the extra gravitational pull means we should brace ourselves for some spectacular tides worldwide,' he said. 

Mr Toth-Czifra said the lower than average level of pollution due to lockdown, combined with clear skies in some parts of the UK, made the Moon clearer than usual.

The Strawberry Full Moon creeped out from behind the clouds over Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire over night