ASTRONOMERS both at home in Oxfordshire and those who made the journey overseas enjoyed the first solar eclipse to sweep the USA in 99 years.

Star-gazers in the county were able to catch a brief glimpse of the solar show leading up to sun set shortly before 8.30pm.

But many travelled to the United States the get the full affect including enthusiast John Mayo, from Fringford near Bicester.

Mr Mayo made the journey with a friend to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, hauling their cameras and telescopes to capture it.

He said: " I was quite overwhelmed, it's a majestic sight, and a true spectacle.

"Planets popped into view and the air was cool - a sticky, humid 33 degrees - and it's a very calming, humbling experience.

"In the final moments the crowd started to cheer as the sky suddenly darkened noticeably and the solar glasses come off.

"It was over too quick though, and then we broke out the wine and cheese."