Solar eclipse glasses ‘sold out everywhere’ as people look for alternatives

People across Scotland have been frantically scrambling to find the right kind of protective eyewear as the UK prepares for the best view of a solar eclipse in nearly three decades.

Up to 95% of the Sun will slowly disappear behind the Moon on Wednesday evening, in the most dramatic partial eclipse visible from the UK since August 1999.

It is important never to look directly at the Sun as even brief exposure can cause lasting damage.

But most high street stores have sold out of eclipse glasses and online shoppers who track down a pair risk them not being delivered in time.

The Moon will start to move in front of the Sun in Scotland at about 18:00, with the whole event expected to last about two hours.

But even one glimpse at the Sun can be really dangerous.

Eclipse glasses offer protection from harmful rays of sunlight as the Sun can damage the retina and lead to vision problems.

Legitimate pairs will have safety certification ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015 printed somewhere on the glasses.

Previously, newspapers have given away free pairs for major events and school children have been pictured gazing up at the Sun wearing them.