ALL eyes were focused on the sky last night as Mars reached its closest point to Earth for 60,000 years.

Telescopes have been trained on the red planet each night this week and Mars-gazing parties are being held worldwide.

In Worcester, more than 100 people of all ages turned up to the Scout hall in Crown East last night, where members of Worcester Astronomical Society set up their telescopes to view Mars.

It was at its closest - 34.6 million miles away, at 10.51am yesterday, with the best viewing between 10.30pm and midnight.

The society showed slides of the red planet first, before stargazers glimpsed a view of Mars through one of the society's telescopes.

"It was a 100 per cent total success and we had to turn some people away at the end because the place was stuffed full," said society chairman Chris Livingstone.

"It was perfectly clear and everybody got a good view of Mars."

Anyone interested in seeing more of the red planet can join the astronomers in the Scouts Hall from 9.30pm tonight and tomorrow.