Skygazers across Dorset captured the moment around 25 per cent of the sun was blocked out as the moon passed between it and the earth in a partial solar eclipse.

It was visible from 10.08am with the maximum eclipse occurring at 10.59am, before coming to an end at around 11.51am.

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon partially obscures the sun when the sun and moon are slightly out of line with the Earth.

Dr Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: "The eclipse will cause the moon to block the view of some or all of the bright solar surface, and the sun will appear to have a bite taken out of it.

Taken in Christchurch at 10.45am. By Will Evans

"Observers in western Siberia, Russia, will get the best view of the eclipse, where the Moon will obscure a maximum of 85 per cent of the Sun."

Jake Foster, astronomer at Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: “The eclipse will be visible across the whole of the UK, as well as large parts of Europe and Central and South Asia.

“The amount of obscuration you’ll see will depend on where you are on the Earth.”

“Even though a portion of the Sun’s light will be blocked, it will not get noticeably darker in the UK during the eclipse.”