STARGAZERS enjoyed a spectacular light show last night, thanks to the Perseid meteor shower.

The annual display, which occurs when the Earth passes through a trail of dusty debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, can be seen between July 17 and August 24, but reached its peak on Monday evening.

As many as 60 meteors an hour can be visible to the naked eye at the height of the shower.

Comet Swift-Tuttle last passed near the Earth in 1992 and will not visit again until 2125.

The stunning shots of the 'shooting stars' were captured by members of the Bournemouth Daily's Echo's Flickr group, An Echo Year 2013

Click each picture to see a full-sized version.

Would you like to send us a picture to add? email it to digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk or click the green 'send your news' button above.

Perseids Meteor Shower & Milky Way

By Andy Farrer

A Dorset night sky

By Mike Boss Photography

Shooting star at Knowlton Church

By Karyn Cuglietta

Bournemouth Echo:

Picture by Matt Clark