NO-ONE alive had ever seen it - until today - and it won't appear again in the skies over Britain for another 243 years.

Small wonder then that dozens of stargazers converged on Todmorden to witness the rare planetary spectacle the Transit of Venus.

Today's six-hour transit has not been witnessed for 122 years and observers positioned themselves in Europe, Asia and Africa to get the best view.

Among them were visitors to the Planet Earth Centre in Bacup Road which layed on a special viewing event so that people could watch the transit safely.

A small group of enthusiasts gathered at the planetarium to witness the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Linda Simonion, who runs the centre, said: "This is a very exciting event simply because it is so rare.

"It hasn't happened for more than 100 years and won't be visible again in this country for another 200 years or so."

Amateur astronomers Lesley and Chris Hayman, from Sowerby Bridge, have travelled all over the world looking at the stars, including a trip to Zambia to witness the total eclipse of the sun in 2001.

Chris said: "We are both very interested in astronomy and this was a great chance to come and see something which is so rare.

"The first glimpse of Venus as it started to cross the sun was awesome."

The phenomenen of Venus crossing the face of the sun was first spotted by self-taught astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks in 1639 when he was working as a vicar's assistant at Much Hoole near Preston.