Hundreds gather to watch partial eclipse on Royston hillside

Experts had urged eclipse watchers not to look directly at the Sun, warning that even brief exposure could cause lasting damage.

Specialist glasses had sold out at many retailers, including those recommended by UK health officials, with Royal Museums Greenwich citing an “unprecedented volume” of demand.

George Turrell, 20, from Letchworth, managed to find a pair and was on the heath with his partner Ebrielle Strickland, also 20, from Baldock, to see their first eclipse.

He described the eclipse as “rather interesting” but admitted there had been a “panic” to try and find a pair of safety glasses in time.