A second spectacular photo of the aurora borealis providing a spectacular backdrop to The Pencil landmark has emerged.

Acclaimed West Kilbride photographer Peter Ribbeck managed to capture the geomagnetic storm at its height as it provided a magnificent array of colours above the Viking landmark.

Peter admits it was a "pinch yourself" moment given how unique and rare the spectacle was on local shores.

The photograph shows the aurora over the Pencil monument facing east.

Peter said: "This is another of my photos from the colossal G5 geomagnetic storm of Friday, May 10.

"As everyone, including myself, stood facing north, waiting in anticipation for the Northern Lights to appear, I noticed something happening in the sky to the west.

"One test shot later to confirm the lights, I was quickly moving around the bay.

"While mentioning this to a fellow photographer as I passed by, Douglas Souttar, and then bumping into the equally observant Ian Rutherford, it quickly became evident that the lights were not only active to the west but the storm was so intense that it fully encompassed us across the whole sky!

"The conditions so unique and freakish, I'll probably never see the likes again in my lifetime."

You can read Ian Rutherford's account of the magical experience of capturing the aurora borealis on camera here.

The bands of pink and green light were seen across the UK and in parts of Europe after an “extreme” geomagnetic storm caused them to be more visible, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Chris Snell, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said there were sightings “from top to tail across the country”.