HAMPSHIRE became the Twilight Zone following what appears to be the early arrival of night-time.

Skies over the county became remarkably dark and gloomy in scenes normally witnessed only during a partial eclipse of the sun.

Photos taken by readers and Daily Echo Camera Club members show the spectacular red sun illumating the sky over Hampshire yesterday.

People in houses, offices and factories across the county stared out of their windows as the eerie scenes unfolded.

But banter about the end of the world proved wide of the mark.

Weather experts said ex-hurricane Ophelia was dragging dust and smoke up from the south, partially blotting out the sun, as it passed over Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Ophelia is pulling up poor quality air, including dust from the Sahara and smoke from wildfires in Spain and Portugal.

"It will clear as Ophelia moves further north during the day."

In some parts of the UK the skies grew so dark that street lights automatically came on and drivers were forced to use their headlights.

The sky has also taken on a strange yellow or pink tinge as a result of the unusual weather conditions.

To join in the camera club fun click here to visit facebook.com/groups/decameraclub.