Huddersfield is to be plunged into darkness as the UK experiences the biggest solar eclipse in 16 years.

At its peak, only 10 per cent of the sun will be visible in Huddersfield as the moon passes across its surface on Friday, March 20.

The last time the UK witnessed an almost total eclipse was in 1999, when special viewing glasses were given out to people wanting to watch it as it happened.

Huddersfield Astronomical Society says on its website its observatory will be open if skies are clear, for people to watch the eclipse with specially filtered telescopes.

Huddersfield sun gazers will spy the first glimpse of the moon at 8.27am. The maximum eclipse is at 9.33am and the moon leaves the sun at 10.42am.

Advice from NASA states it is never safe to watch a partial solar eclipse without taking precautions, such as using solar glasses which are available to buy online, or a solar telescope.

The above illustration shows where the eclipse can be seen. The black dot shows where the sun will be totally eclipsed.

Anyone wishing to attend the Huddersfield Astronomical Society observatory should contact them.