PEOPLE in Worcestershire watched a green-tinged meteor flash across the evening sky last night.

The "fireball" shot over England and Wales in a northerly direction at around 9.45pm.

Experts believe the meteor might have formed from debris from Halley's Comet.

Eyewitness Glynis Dray of Malvern described it as a green fireball with an orange tail "like a comet" which crossed the sky directly overhead, heading in a north-west direction.

"It was amazing," she said. "I've seen normal shooting stars and this was a lot brighter."

People took to Twitter to report the phenomenon with sightings apparently recorded in Worcestershire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Lancashire and South Wales.

Reports suggested the meteor crossed Britain from the south east towards the North West.

Space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock said the meteor's size was unusual.

"It seems that this one was particularly large and particularly bright, which is why it's caught so much attention," she told the BBC.

"It's quite likely to be part of the Eta Aquarids, which is the debris left by Halley's Comet. And twice a year we pass through the debris left behind by the comet and when this happens we see more of these shooting stars, but there must have been a large lump left behind which is what caused such a bright meteor to be seen."

  • Did you see the meteor last night? Contact reporter Liz Sweetman on 01905 742253 or email es@worcesternews.co.uk