THOUSANDS of residents across the New Forest, Southampton and other parts of Hampshire reported seeing an orange glow earlier this week.

On Thursday evening the bright scene could be seen from many miles away, with the fire service called.

Many people were not entirely sure what they had spotted, with concerns it might have been a fire.

It was in fact the sight of flaring at refinery in Fawley.

The safe burning off of excess gas from the site creates the striking colour in the sky, which is at such a height that it can be witnessed from various parts of the county.

This gas is normally recycled and used in the refinery's operating process.

Daily Echo Camera Club member Michael Palmer captured an amazing image of the flaring from across a forest setting.

Hardley Fire Station was called at 9.05pm to reports of a fire in the open near Lepe.

A station spokesperson said this turned out to be large flares being emitted from Fawley Refinery.

They added: "This gas is normally recycled and used in the refinery's operating process."

Similar reports were made in August last year, when residents were left puzzled by bright lights and "pulsing orange sky" seen across Southampton and parts of the New Forest.

A spokesperson for the refinery previously said: "This gas is normally recycled and used in the refinery's operating process."